6/20/2005 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. Drivers 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. Article Excerpt: 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.
When can you guys get to 79 or 80 mph on 121 or Geo. Bush and i thought I stayed up late. Now let's see on the poker run on I-35, 130 minus 80, huummmmmm that is still a problem. Interestingly the Gov. Perry is now validating what every one has been doing west of Abilene (rural) for years!
On my speedo I saw 135 West of the Tollway Bush is pretty empty and you can carry some speed. Only problem is that the area between the Tollway and 35E is a known speed trap. A friend got ticketed in the area just before the tollbooth where the speed limit drops to 45mph. How many of us really slow down that much in the Tolltag lanes? The Tollway north of Addison is another area that is straight an relative empty other than rush hour. In theory you can hit triple digits in these spots, not that I would ever do that....
It's certainly an improvement but not cause for excessive joy. Doesn't look like it will folks in the more populated parts of the state any good. We might remember the speed limit is already 75 in some very lightly populated parts of the state and has been for some time. Quoting from relevant parts of the statute: "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 persons per square mile." "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 detemines that 80 miles per hour in daytime is a reasonable and safe speed for that part of the highway." The speedlimits do not apply to trucks, other than light trucks and light trucks pulling a trailer and truck tractors, trailers and semitrailers. John Wooops, got ahead of myself. Sorry for duplicating the text.
It passed 142-0 in the House on 4/29 and 31-0 in the Senate on 5/25 therefore, why wait until 9/1 since it already received votes necessary for immediate effect - ?? Carol
Depends upon how you define excessive joy. Those of us who like to open it up occassionally on the weekends without going through all the motions of going to a track, the extra 15 mph (80) can make all the difference between a citation and getting hauled off to the pokey.
The legislative history shows it was signed by the governor on 6/17 and was effective immediately. The "real" effective date in such cases depends on when the commisstion makes the required findings and the signs get posted. This might be an incentive to move to (or at least have reason to drive through) one of the counties where the increases will be effective. Haven't felt a real need to spend much time in Pecos county in the past but may have to rethink that. Need to pull out a map. John
