There appears to be a pattern is some states to push for higher speed limits. A recent study from Utah demonstrated that the practice may actually decrease crashes and fatalities. Other reports disagree.
Is it less dangerous to drive quicker?
In 2009, The Utah Department of Transportation, in a test program, elevated the speed limit from 75 mph to 80 mph on two stretches of highway near the town of Fillmore. The area was selected for its lack of twists and turns and relatively-low population density.
Accidents decreased by 11 percent and 20 percent in the areas, which means the test were worth it.
Further, it found that the average speed of motorists went up only slightly -- from 83 mph to 85 mph. That also resulted in a 20 percent reduction in drivers exceeding the speed.
There are two other current test areas showing positive results, such as Parowan and Beaver. In 2014, 80 mph could be the permanent speed limit in those two areas.
Utah rep. Jim Dunnigan (R) passed a bill in 2008 to start the testing.
A lot of people do it anyway
Dunnigan said:
"When we initially presented this, there were concerns that if we raised the speed limit from 75 to 80 mph that people would really travel from 90 to 100 mph. That didn't happen. The average speed only increased a couple miles an hour. ... Most people are already traveling 80, so we are making legal what a majority of people are doing."
Carlos Braceras, director of the Utah Department of Transportation, told the Legislature's Transportation Interim Committee that it is moving forward to make the speed limit change permanent in the test areas. It is also thinking about more test areas in which to increase the effort.
The committee voted unanimously on September 19 to proceed with more testing.
Texas posts greatest speed limit
Recently, the speed limit on a 41-mile stretch of road in Texas was boosted to 85 mph, which is the highest in the land. That makes it much easier to make a trip from San Antonio to Austin, TX, by Honda. It will go quicker than you expect.
Considering other study findings
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety spokesman Russ Rader spoke in contradiction to the Utah study, as outlined by USA Today. Rader explained:
"The research is clear that when speed limits go up, fatalities go up."
USA Today also cited a 2009 American Journal of Public Health study. It found that more than 12,500 people perished in traffic crashes that were attributable to elevated speed limits in the prior ten-years.
Is it less dangerous to drive quicker?
In 2009, The Utah Department of Transportation, in a test program, elevated the speed limit from 75 mph to 80 mph on two stretches of highway near the town of Fillmore. The area was selected for its lack of twists and turns and relatively-low population density.
Accidents decreased by 11 percent and 20 percent in the areas, which means the test were worth it.
Further, it found that the average speed of motorists went up only slightly -- from 83 mph to 85 mph. That also resulted in a 20 percent reduction in drivers exceeding the speed.
There are two other current test areas showing positive results, such as Parowan and Beaver. In 2014, 80 mph could be the permanent speed limit in those two areas.
Utah rep. Jim Dunnigan (R) passed a bill in 2008 to start the testing.
A lot of people do it anyway
Dunnigan said:
"When we initially presented this, there were concerns that if we raised the speed limit from 75 to 80 mph that people would really travel from 90 to 100 mph. That didn't happen. The average speed only increased a couple miles an hour. ... Most people are already traveling 80, so we are making legal what a majority of people are doing."
Carlos Braceras, director of the Utah Department of Transportation, told the Legislature's Transportation Interim Committee that it is moving forward to make the speed limit change permanent in the test areas. It is also thinking about more test areas in which to increase the effort.
The committee voted unanimously on September 19 to proceed with more testing.
Texas posts greatest speed limit
Recently, the speed limit on a 41-mile stretch of road in Texas was boosted to 85 mph, which is the highest in the land. That makes it much easier to make a trip from San Antonio to Austin, TX, by Honda. It will go quicker than you expect.
Considering other study findings
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety spokesman Russ Rader spoke in contradiction to the Utah study, as outlined by USA Today. Rader explained:
"The research is clear that when speed limits go up, fatalities go up."
USA Today also cited a 2009 American Journal of Public Health study. It found that more than 12,500 people perished in traffic crashes that were attributable to elevated speed limits in the prior ten-years.
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