Texas celebrates Labor Day with a rise in speed limit to 85

Texas celebrated Labor Day Weekend with a raise in its speed limit to a maximum of 75 miles per hour in most areas, but 85 miles an hour in some rural areas per Texas House Bill 1201. This is giving many something to celebrate, for now it will not take 3 hours to get across the state anymore.

The new Texan law has gone into effect; however, a study will be done to make sure that this new speed limit is not unsafe for motorists. In addition, Texas is still working on changing the speed limit signs, so drivers may not be able to drive faster yet in some areas until the signs are officially posted on the roadways.

By 2013, The Texas Department of Transportation is proposing to be done evaluating exactly which stretches of highways can safely have their speed limits increased from 70 to 75 and from 70 to 85. Although the change may not be immediate, Labor Day Weekend has a whole new meaning for those driving in Texas.

Speed limits in general are decided upon by each state or territory’s legislatures on an individual basis. Speed limits will vary according to each state’s laws and what kinds of roads and land uses are in each area. Speed limits are no different in severity than speed minimums, and even speed minimums are carefully decided upon by each state on an individual basis.

Highest speed limits in the United States are usually found in the inland western states and the lowest speed limits are usually found in the Northeastern states. There are a couple of exception, however, including Maine. In June 2011, Maine changed its speed limit in a remote area of the state on Interstate 95 through the northern part of the state to 75 miles per hour.

From approximately 1974–1987, there was no speed limit in any of the United States that went any higher than 55 miles per hour. From 1995 to 2011, speed limits were starting to raise to 70 miles per hour, but were restricted out in the Great Plains and the Mountain west, excluding the states of Oregon, California, and Washington.

Then on September 1, 2011, Texas tops all states with their new speed limit of 85 miles per hour on Labor Day Weekend. Hopefully drivers in Texas won’t take advantage of those who believe that driving anywhere from 5-10 miles per hour over the speed limit is permitted. Drivers will then be moving at rates of up to 95 miles per hour and that could cause major safety concerns.

Reference: Valley Central