South Dakota may raise speed limit to 80 mph

"cuts_off_prius" (cutsoffprius)
03/11/2015 at 13:10 • Filed to: None

"For the most part, people drive what they consider to be a comfortable, safe speed for the road they're on, considering the traffic and the weather conditions."

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A 2009 Utah study on stretches of Interstate 15 in that state found drivers complied better with an 80 mph speed limit than with the previous 75 mph limit. The study showed a 20% reduction in drivers exceeding 80 mph.

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Data from a separate 2012 study of two portions of I-15 in Utah found an 11% to 20% drop in speed-related crashes, depending on which stretches were studied.

Montana also has a pending bill to raise to 80 mph - possibly 85. So far, four states have speed limits at 80 mph or above: Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Texas. Nevada even had a bill this year to raise their speed limit to 85 mph, but their DOT had its head up their ass and one of their board members said "Even studying this sends the wrong message that we support increasing the speed limit."

Check out the article on South Dakota below:

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DISCUSSION (16)

cuts_off_prius > cuts_off_prius
03/11/2015 at 13:13

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Cherry_man1 > cuts_off_prius
03/11/2015 at 13:15

That's kinda awesome.

Leadbull > cuts_off_prius
03/11/2015 at 13:18

Rush more at Rushmore.

ttyymmnn > cuts_off_prius
03/11/2015 at 13:24

It would be interesting to see an honest study about whether or not increased speed limits encourage people to go even faster. I think that maybe a better approach would be similar to what they are thinking about in AZ , where the cops won't even give you a ticket unless you're going more than 10 over the posted limit. I've driven stretches of TX roads that are 85, and that's plenty fast. And really, I don't think the danger lies in going too fast, the danger lies in too much of a disparity in speed, where those going 85 overtake those going 60 or 65. Keeping the limits a little lower, while allowing for a little wiggle room, may be safer.

1.21 JIGGA WATTS!!! > ttyymmnn
03/11/2015 at 13:39

Agreed. I drive a portion of I-90 every day to work and while I like the 80 mph prospect, having someone going 65 while I'm going 85 could result in some nasty overtakes. Granted, I-90 isn't terribly busy in the late fall- early spring, but it does tend to get swamped in the late spring- early fall with all of the tourism. We see a lot of out-of-staters and there is a variety of speeds driven (A lot of "East of the Missouri" folks are used to driving slower). I'd say if they do it, they should strictly enforce speeds over 85 (not allowing 7-10 over).

cuts_off_prius > ttyymmnn
03/11/2015 at 13:44

If people followed the basic principle of "keep right except to pass" speed variance wouldn't be an issue. Hey, it works on the Autobahn, but they have better training.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > cuts_off_prius
03/11/2015 at 13:59

I don't really like the idea of 80mph speed limits. I feel like automakers would have to make their transmissions differently for fuel effiency at that point. I know that in my car, anything over 70 already has me at 3.5k RPM so going any faster would certainly be a detriment to my fuel economy.

ceanderson920 > cuts_off_prius
03/11/2015 at 14:14

I'm from South Dakota and most people drive 80 on the interstate anyways, the rule of thumb around here is that the cops may pull you over but they wont give you a ticket for going under 5 mph over on the interstate. Also, when driving across the state from Sioux Falls to Rapid City, the whole area is pretty desolate besides during the Sturgis Bike Rally, bringing the speed limit up 80 will in theory get people from one side of the state to the other quicker which will make people want to go to Deadwood or Rapid more often. I don't know if any of you are familiar with the Black Hills (Rapid City, Sturgis, Deadwood) but their main source of income is tourism out there, so if more people are inclined to make the trek across the state they will make more money.

thebigbossyboss > cuts_off_prius
03/11/2015 at 14:25

Great news for South Dakota!!!

wiffleballtony > ttyymmnn
03/11/2015 at 14:47

In Arizona, the cops already don't pull you over unless you're more than 10 over. In many cases they won't care until you're 20 over. 90% of the population speeds here. Also a 65mph speed limit is silly when we have surface streets with a 55mph limit.

wiffleballtony > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/11/2015 at 14:49

That's odd, in my far it's maybe a 500 rpm difference between 75 and 8t5. I'm doing maybe 2200 rpm at 85.

ttyymmnn > wiffleballtony
03/11/2015 at 14:59

My mom used to live in Green Valley, and she routinely set her cruise on +11 and never worried about a thing. She was often one of the slower cars on the road between GV and Tucson. It just seems to me, though, that codifying the amount of cheating that is allowed would make sense. Simply raising the limit to 80 would encourage people going 90, I think. But that's only a guess. It would be interesting to see if any actual studies have been done on it.

wiffleballtony > ttyymmnn
03/11/2015 at 15:04

I don't think it will. People will travel as fast as they deem safe. Anyone doing 90 then would probably do 90 now. If they are really worried about that then make criminal speeding at 85 instead of 20 over.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > wiffleballtony
03/11/2015 at 15:31

I would imagine it varies largely depending on the car. My redline is around 7k and I would have to think that speeds would be different for a car that redlines at like 4.5k. I still return like 28-29 MPG while traveling at ~72-75. I can get 31 if I keep it around 65 and I would imagine it would dip lower if I was going 80-85. (EPA is something like 20/26 I am pretty sure)

wiffleballtony > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/11/2015 at 15:45

My red line is also 7k. I get 23 mpg at 75 and 85.

Dusty Ventures > cuts_off_prius
03/11/2015 at 17:48

Dear South Dakota,

The 80 mph speed limit sounds like a fantastic idea! Please do it, preferably before April 28. Thanks.