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By Michael Sluss
Both houses of the legislature passed bills Tuesday that would increase the maximum speed limit on interstates to 70 mph, a proposal Gov. Bob McDonnell championed during his campaign for governor last year.
McDonnell said he wants to increase highway speed limits from 65 mph in rural and less-populated areas of the state.
Each chamber must pass the other's bill before the measures go to the governor's desk.
The law would not take effect until July 1, and transportation officials still would have to determine where it would be safe to increase speed limits.
But McDonnell wasted no time declaring a legislative victory Tuesday.
"This is an important early step towards our common goal of improving transportation in the commonwealth," McDonnell said in a statement issued after the bills were passed.
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70MPH
Do you think people will slow down that much on 95???
no big deal
Having driven extensively in states that have higher speed limits; I have never noticed an increase in the number of people that drive like maniacs and fools. Excessive and erratic driving behaviors happen more frequently in urban areas that will not raise their speed limits. Limit ratings are based on density; therefor, lower limits are used around city limits.
One local example I can think of locally would be HWY 58, insuring that long portions of 58 are quicker to transit would benefit Hampton Roads, the I-95 and I-85 corridors, and most especially points further west, such as Clarksville, South Boston, and Danville.
My travel experiences have shown that most people have a comfort range between 65 and 75 mph. On long drives at higher speed limits, I have even had to set the cruise control to make sure I stay up to speed. Those traveling 72mph versus 68mph should have at least that much grace room(before draconian penalties) to get around slower moving traffic on long stretches of rural roads.
Speed vs Time
Speeds should be different at different times of the day.
Can you imagine 70 mph at rush hour vs 2am ?
In the late night / early morning hours speeds should be allowed higher, and in the congested day time lower. It is ridiculous to drive at 2am at 55mph when you are the only one on the road.
Fast cars
So why in this country do we build cars that can do 180mph out of the factory and complain when the speed limit gets raised to 70mph, why not build cars that can only do 80, make it a law, heck sue the car companies for building such fast machines as we did the fast food places for selling fat fast food, blame it on everyone else, me I am going to enjoy my freedom to do 70mph in my nice american designed and built fast car and I will loathe the day somebody sues to stop making American muscle cars...we could all be driving golf carts then.. on a side note, why is the Chesapeake Expressway only 55mph, cause it's a revenue engine for the city...
Here's an idea
Let's finish up any construction first. You can raise the speed limit to 100mph, but you still gotta brake and slow down where ever there's construction so who cares how fast you went. Hurry up and wait philosophy. Granted, traffic is a little better on I-95 when the speed limit's 60 or 70, vice 55. But no matter what, traffic can only move as fast as the front car (left or right lane). Implement a no driving in the left lane unless passing policy on 2-lane highways just as one of the western states did (as is on the Autobahn, where they practice driving courtesies, unlike most Americans), that will clear up some of it. It's the knucklehead that drives 55mph in the left lane, or even slower and won't move over. They're not gonna raise the limit to 70 everywhere...I hope...
Driver Beware
Virginia code § 46.2-862 says in part, that any speed greater than 80mph. regardless of applicable maximum speed limit constitutes reckless driving; a class 1 misdemeanor (a criminal charge that is the same as a first time DUI). So watch out for this “alternative revenue” source being fully leveraged to the benefit of the commonwealth. Following the uniform point schedule, speeding 1-9 would be a simple 3-pont violation. Ten or above and you will have to appear in court and possibly go to jail. So in essence, everyone in these zones will be perilously close to becoming a convicted criminal if, for example, they pass someone going 68 and happen to briefly go over 80 to complete the pass. You can bet money that the State Police are chomping at the bit to start handing out RD charges as fast as they can write them when this law takes effect.
Driver Beware
Hey Corey T. - "Reckless"(sic) is spelled "wreckless" ... Sure hope your driving is better than your spelling ... LOL
Sorry Charlie, you are wrong.
The term is "reckless" as in not being careful, not "wreckless" as in not having an accident.
Pedant Beware
Garycline ... better grab a dictionary yourself. Reckless is, in fact, the correct spelling.
There is a solution to
There is a solution to prevent from getting a reckless driving ticket. Do not do any driving which is by law defined as reckless driving. It does not matter if the speed limit is 55, 60, or 70. Anything above the limit is illegal. Do not do it. Anything over 80 is considered reckless. My suggestion is that you do not it. I could careless if the Troopers are on the road running radar every day. I do not have to worry about it because I follow law and obey the speed limit.