Parts of West Texas to raise speed limit.

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Parts of West Texas to raise speed limit.

Posted: 8/25/2005 9:40:11 PM EDT

I heard on the news tonight that parts of West Texas will raise interstate speed limits to 80, making it the highest speed limit in the nation. They say the highways were built for speeds that high. So the last time I drove from El Paso to San Antonio I averaged 100 when the speed was 70-75. Does that mean I have to average 110 the next time I go that way

.

Do we have our own autobahn in the making?

Posted: 8/25/2005 9:48:28 PM EDT

[#1]

That is what I usually average on road trips around AZ. 80 in a 75 won't get you pulled over most of the time. 115 in a 65 will....trust me.

Posted: 8/25/2005 9:49:25 PM EDT

[#2]

well that sucks... i got a ticket in that area for going 84 ..

im guess im just ahead of my time..

Posted: 8/25/2005 9:49:27 PM EDT

[#3]

Hell yes! 'Bout damn time!

Posted: 8/25/2005 10:18:16 PM EDT

[#4]

There are 654 forlorn, God-forsaken miles between El Paso and San Antonio - with absolutely nothing but Van Horn, Sonora and half a dozen dead armadillos in between.

If you ask me, 80 MPH isn't enough!

Posted: 8/25/2005 10:20:06 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I heard on the news tonight that parts of West Texas will raise interstate speed limits to 80, making it the highest speed limit in the nation. They say the highways were built for speeds that high. So the last time I drove from El Paso to San Antonio I averaged 100 when the speed was 70-75. Does that mean I have to average 110 the next time I go that way.

Do we have our own autobahn in the making?

WTF??? You averaged 100 mph?

How would you like it if I came through YOUR workplace with a wanton disregard for YOUR safety?

Fucking ASSHAT

Posted: 8/25/2005 10:34:22 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I heard on the news tonight that parts of West Texas will raise interstate speed limits to 80, making it the highest speed limit in the nation. They say the highways were built for speeds that high. So the last time I drove from El Paso to San Antonio I averaged 100 when the speed was 70-75. Does that mean I have to average 110 the next time I go that way.

Do we have our own autobahn in the making?

WTF??? You averaged 100 mph?

How would you like it if I came through YOUR workplace with a wanton disregard for YOUR safety?

Fucking ASSHAT

Fucking BS.....I can drive through West Texas and never see a damned soul for 100 miles.
PLEASE......asshat, my ass.

And don't even talk about South and North Dakota.....you can drive over 100mph for HOURS and NEVER see a soul.

HTF is that having a wanton disregard?

Posted: 8/25/2005 10:57:40 PM EDT

[#7]

First of all, DUPE!www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=382725

And for those who THINK they can drive 100 MPH without seeing a soul, I call the BS flag. Even on US 90, there still is traffic at 3 AM. Been there, done it. I-10? The Interstate Highway where the new speed limit is going to apply? Never. Last year I came upon a single vehicle accident/roll-over. The radiator was still POURING coolant from the ruptured tank and there were at least 10 people stopped to render aid.

Even heading home from the Hun Farm in May at 2 AM through Ballinger there was traffic (and a NASTY thunderstorm).

About the most desolate stretch of road in Texas I have traveled is US 67 between Alpine and Ft. Stockton. Yes, there was some traffic.

Posted: 8/25/2005 11:00:29 PM EDT

[#8]

This will die when the .fed threatens withholding of pork for highway repairs/upgrades. Just like Minnesota.

Posted: 8/25/2005 11:06:50 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Fucking BS.....I can drive through West Texas and never see a damned soul for 100 miles.
PLEASE......asshat, my ass.

And don't even talk about South and North Dakota.....you can drive over 100mph for HOURS and NEVER see a soul.

HTF is that having a wanton disregard?

While travelling about the fruited plain, I have noticed that there is the rare opportunity to travel down a road alone. There is always that other car or truck just over the top of the hill or around the bend. It would be nice if we still lived in a time when you could have the road to yourself. If you think you do, please, hang up and drive.

Posted: 8/25/2005 11:09:56 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
First of all, DUPE!www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=382725

And for those who THINK they can drive 100 MPH without seeing a soul, I call the BS flag.

You drove through S. and N. Dakota, and want to call bs on my post.

I was driving 75 and a guy blew by me and I gave him a little lead and TRIED to catch him. I drove over 100 mph for over 1 hour, and NEVER caught him (I saw him a few times) or ever saw a single soul coming the other way.

FWIW.

Posted: 8/25/2005 11:11:17 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Quoted:

Fucking BS.....I can drive through West Texas and never see a damned soul for 100 miles.
PLEASE......asshat, my ass.

And don't even talk about South and North Dakota.....you can drive over 100mph for HOURS and NEVER see a soul.

HTF is that having a wanton disregard?

While travelling about the fruited plain, I have noticed that there is the rare opportunity to travel down a road alone. There is always that other car or truck just over the top of the hill or around the bend. It would be nice if we still lived in a time when you could have the road to yourself. If you think you do, please, hang up and drive.

See above.

Posted: 8/25/2005 11:16:32 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

See above.

So maybe you did it once.

ETA: That doesn't change the fact that it is grossly negligent and very dangerous to do so. In the event that the road design allows for such high speed transit. What about your car? Can it handle the increased abuse? If your car is good to go, how about you as a driver?

Or were you just lucky???

ETA: And I've lived in ND... driven across SD east-west and north-south...

Posted: 8/25/2005 11:30:00 PM EDT

[#13]

Goes to show you just how concerned our government is about conserving fuel. You'd think they would be LOWERING the limit to save fuel.
The insurance companies that OWN our legislators can't be too happy with this.
We'll see if it actually happens.

Posted: 8/25/2005 11:30:00 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Quoted:

See above.

So maybe you did it once.

ETA: That doesn't change the fact that it is grossly negligent and very dangerous to do so. In the event that the road design allows for such high speed transit. What about your car? Can it handle the increased abuse? If your car is good to go, how about you as a driver?

Or were you just lucky???

ETA: And I've lived in ND... driven across SD east-west and north-south...

I drive fairly new vehicles and since you lived in S/N Dakota you know how straight and flat thr Interstate running N/S on the East side of the state is.

I have had one ticket in the last 20 years and it was for speeding for 77 in a 70 in West Texas.
I have NO problem with Tx DOT raising the speed limit on those roads in West Texas to 80.

I do not believe it is prudent or wise to drive 100 mph no matter how good a driver you are. BUT it is possible to do it and not see or endanger anyone, other than yourself.

Of course......YMMV and it is MHO.

Posted: 8/25/2005 11:50:34 PM EDT

[#15]

IMHO, the only place anyone should be driving over 100 mph is on a racetrack where there's a semi-controlled environment and that type of driving expected.

Posted: 8/26/2005 12:52:54 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
IMHO, the only place anyone should be driving over 100 mph is on a racetrack where there's a semi-controlled environment and that type of driving expected.

Yeah, that's why the Autobahn is so dangerous....all those sports cars going 160km per hour.

Wait a sec....the Autobahn has very few accidents or fatalities despite a large volume of traffic.

Oopsie, I guess speed isn't the problem, is it??

Posted: 8/26/2005 1:00:32 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
Hell yes! 'Bout damn time!

+1

went through tx 4 times, going 70-75

TX has KICK A** rest areas too, very hi-tec and cool

Posted: 8/26/2005 1:08:14 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Quoted:
IMHO, the only place anyone should be driving over 100 mph is on a racetrack where there's a semi-controlled environment and that type of driving expected.

Yeah, that's why the Autobahn is so dangerous....all those sports cars going 160km per hour.

Wait a sec....the Autobahn has very few accidents or fatalities despite a large volume of traffic.

Oopsie, I guess speed isn't the problem, is it??

But Germany also has much better drivers. Cupholders? Why? Does my coffee table have a steering wheel?

Posted: 8/26/2005 1:15:53 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
IMHO, the only place anyone should be driving over 100 mph is on a racetrack where there's a semi-controlled environment and that type of driving expected.

Yeah, that's why the Autobahn is so dangerous....all those sports cars going 160km per hour.

Wait a sec....the Autobahn has very few accidents or fatalities despite a large volume of traffic.

Oopsie, I guess speed isn't the problem, is it??

But Germany also has much better drivers.

Ever been to Germany? I have, and they have some shitwits behind the wheel too. We have no monopoly on idjits.

I still say that speed is not the pandemic that safety nazis make it out to be. It may make an accident worse, but it seldom causes it.

Posted: 8/26/2005 1:46:17 AM EDT

[#20]

There is no good reason for a 80mph speed limit

Posted: 8/26/2005 1:51:47 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:

You drove through S. and N. Dakota, and want to call bs on my post.

I was driving 75 and a guy blew by me and I gave him a little lead and TRIED to catch him. I drove over 100 mph for over 1 hour, and NEVER caught him (I saw him a few times) or ever saw a single soul coming the other way.

FWIW.

Around here the 75mph speed limit is more of a "speed suggestion"

Posted: 8/26/2005 1:52:40 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
There is no good reason for a 80mph speed limit

You need to stay out of this one. We don't need your fruity, nutty and flakey style of doll-playing here.

Unless you have been through Texas, specifically from El Paso to Kerrville, you don't know what you are talking about.

Posted: 8/26/2005 2:00:28 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
There is no good reason for a 80mph speed limit

Spoken like a good citizen of a socialist country.

The free world, however, has plenty of reasons.

Just think of it in a manner you can understand. If you order more dolls from the east coast, or a Bible, or whatever your thing is this week, it'll get there much faster if the truck can do a better speed on the highways.

Let's say that I want to come and visit you and see if you're really as fucking weird in real life. I drive there, find out you really are nutty as a Planter's can, and I want to get the hell away from you. I would like to do this as quickly as possible, and 80mph is better than 50.

Reasons? I have a million. The only reason not to is to give the state police more traffic ticket money.

Posted: 8/26/2005 2:41:45 AM EDT

[#24]

Sounds like a good plan.

To the pessimists: It's not like an extra 5 miles per hour will suddenly make anything more dangerous.

Posted: 8/26/2005 3:07:18 AM EDT

[#25]

Sounds good to me. Anyone who says it is a bad idea has never been through Texas.

Posted: 8/26/2005 3:43:15 AM EDT

[#26]

Safe speed depends on a couple of factors. I would trust a good car with a capable driver going over 100 more than a less capable car and driver going 50. 100 is not that fast when you are in the middle of nowhere, on flat straight roads in a car built for more speeed than that. You can see so far ahead that you have plenty of time to slow if there is oncoming or disabled traffic. What is important is common sense, not an arbitrary number. I guess you can't count on common sense, though.

Posted: 8/26/2005 6:34:47 AM EDT

[#27]

Admitedly, your average american car is not buit for high speed travel. But most cars can handle moving along at a decent rate of 80-90mph. Those cars that cannot, should not be allowed too.

Simply sticking a sign on the side of the road with a number on it is not how speed limits should be set, but thats how they are. Every vehical has different abilities and all roads are not equall, but this is not taken into account.

The other problem is that you can swerve, cut people off, tailgate, never use a turn signal all you want, aslong as it is within the speed limit. Thats just retared. Drivers testing is a joke, if you can handle a parking lot and an empty side street for 5 mins, you can get a license.

Speed itself is not a cause for an accident, it is a modifier. The cause of an accident is someone with a cell phone in one hand and a cheese burger in the other. How many accients are caused because someone simply didn't see the other guy? Basicly all of them, since no one would intentionally hit another car 99% of the time.

Posted: 8/26/2005 6:44:50 AM EDT

[#28]

Now that I am not posting drunk

Speed limits should be set for what is prudent for conditions.

It is usually not raining in West Texas, and the roads are in great shape compared to most roads I have been on in other states. (probably due to the relatively low traffic counts)

The main problem with hauling ass out there is I am afraid of hitting a damned wild hog or deer.

I think most drivers, drive right under 80 anyway......so it won't be an issue in my mind.

Posted: 8/26/2005 6:46:01 AM EDT

[#29]

Does anyone know just how many miles I10 goes without any curve in West Texas. I have done that drive (or parts of it anyway) several times. For some reason I seem to rember a couple of 10+miles perfectly strait sections - but also seem to recall the joke of 60 miles or so without any curve.

I am older and a cheeper b*stard now. But did find out that my old Dodge 4x4 would not let me set the cruise control over 100 once upon a time. I did about 110-115 for about 15 miles catching up with some yahoos that I was traveling with who were doing 95.

Posted: 8/26/2005 7:03:11 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
Quoted:
IMHO, the only place anyone should be driving over 100 mph is on a racetrack where there's a semi-controlled environment and that type of driving expected.

Yeah, that's why the Autobahn is so dangerous....all those sports cars going 160km per hour.

Wait a sec....the Autobahn has very few accidents or fatalities despite a large volume of traffic.

Oopsie, I guess speed isn't the problem, is it??

Been there , done that. I picked up a new car (BMW European Delivery Program), did a lot of research on the Autobahn, rules, regs, signs, safety, etc. and drove it for 3 days.

THey have soething like a 30-35% less accidents per mile driven than here, with portions of the road with unlimited speed. But the amount of unlimited speed sections keeps dropping as the traffic density goes up and the commie/green party treehuggers take over.

when they do have accidents, there are usually not many survivers at the very high speeds.

they have very strict licensing and driver training. they do police the basics very well and you actually can get a ticket for being in the left lane and not passing (unlike here in the USA, we just ticket for revenue)

much of the road is regulated by electronic speed limit signs that try to control the speed based on traffic density, etc. seemed to work pretty well from what I saw. almost none of that here.

I have a bunch of links if anyone is interested

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Parts of West Texas to raise speed limit.

General » General Discussion

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us