HB 2257 Passed - Speed Limits increasing in Texas

[zerinVR6]

From: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/04/473.asp
Quote »
"Texas, Iowa, Indiana Raise Maximum Speed Limit
Texas raises the maximum speed limit in the state to 80 MPH, Iowa and Indiana raise theirs to 70 MPH.
Texas Gov. Rick PerryDrivers in Texas, Iowa, and Indiana will enjoy higher speed limits next month as legislation raising the top speeds on rural roads takes effect.

On Friday, Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) signed HB 2257 into law making 80 MPH the maximum allowable speed in the state. Rural portions of I-10 and I-20 will enjoy the new top speed, while other rural roads could see the limit rise to 75 MPH. Both the state House and Senate adopted the legislation without opposition last month.

On July 1, a law signed by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) creating a 70 MPH speed limit goes into effect. This new limit better reflects the actual speed of cars on rural highways which averages 69.8 MPH according to sensors embedded into the pavement.

In May, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed SB 217 into law raising the maximum limit from 65 MPH to 70 MPH in areas with less than 50,000 population. The law also raises the limit for trucks from 60 to 65 MPH, and gives a 10 MPH boost to several roads currently posted at 55 MPH. The state will begin placing the higher-limit signs on July 5."



And being the skeptic I am, I went and dug up the actual House Bill...

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Texas State House of Representatives, H.B. No. 2257
AN ACT relating to the speed limit on certain highways in rural counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 545.353, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (h-1) and amending Subsections (h) and (i) to read as follows:
(h) Notwithstanding Section 454.352(b), the commission may establish a speed limit of 75 miles per hour in daytime on a part of the highway system if:
(1) the commission determines that 75 miles per hour in daytime is a reasonable and safe speed for that part of the highway system; and
(2) that part of the highway is located in a county with a population density of less than 15 [10] persons per square mile.
(h-1) Notwithstanding Section 545.352(b), the commission may establish a speed limit of 80 miles per hour in daytime on a part of Interstate Highway 10 or Interstate Highway 20 in Crockett, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kerr, Kimble, Pecos, Reeves, Sutton, or Ward County if the commission determines that 80 miles per hour in daytime is a reasonable and safe speed for that part of the highway.
(i) The speed limits [limit] authorized by Subsections [Subsection] (h) and (h-1) do [does] not apply to:
(1) trucks, other than light trucks and light trucks pulling a trailer; and
(2) truck tractors, trailers, and semitrailers.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

God Bless Texas.

[DC]

Great. I'm guessing that will help when driving to San Antonio.

[Minh]

i'll still be going 110 regardless between htown and atx

[Tiger Styles]

80 MPH?! Damm! Time for a few road trips!!!

[Benny]

sweet... now i wont have to slow down to 70 whenever i see a damn cop. GG for I-10

[egg]

this is badass news

[2XTURBO]

sweet, now if we could just get that "reasonable & prudent" speed limit

[mr_joe]

Originally Posted by Benny sweet... now i wont have to slow down to 70 whenever i see a damn cop. GG for I-10

I second that brother!!

[super cirrus]

Great. Now I can go 90...

[Treyg73]

Cool! That means next time I get pulled over for going 88 the ticket won't be so bad.

[DJ®]

i hope they get rid of the "night" speed limit.......that was gay

[DTN]

I guess they said fuk it...people drive 80+ anyways. Yea, now you can drive 85 and probably get away with it!!

["that boy asad"]

HELL YEAH!!!... now i can drive 90mph!!!

[Maverick]

Thats cool, so this takes effect July 1 ?
and Only on I10 ?

[bleu]

Originally Posted by Maverick Thats cool, so this takes effect July 1 ? and Only on I10 ?

not on I-10 on RURAL AREAS of 1-10 and other highways that are rural dont expec the speed limit to be 80MPH on I-10 by memorial mall lol

[Flores]

80 is about the limit of my comfortable speed on the highway. So this is sweet... maybe 45 to dallas will get that soon?

70 is just a little too slow.

[SloESLex]

where are these senors they speak of?

[PakMan]

thats great, now there wont be any traffic jams unless there is some reckless driving going on. But otherwise, i will enjoy going 80mph.

[p51]

read the bill
it says 75 during the day on highways w/ 15 ppl per sq mile... ie you're in waller county, you can do 75.
it says 80 for some parts of I-10, not all

and it says it taked effect on sept. first- just like every bill in texas.

[OneArmedScissor]

75 is better than 65 or 70

all in all this means that now the speed that i drive at (what is comfortable with my car's gearing and upgrades) will be completely legal.

I don't see myself driving any faster than that due to gas costs.