Long overdue. Michigan's rural interstates accounted for just over 2% of State-wide traffic deaths, and have the lowest fatality rate per vehicle-mile-travelled of all rural roads. Rural interstates are the fastest, safest, and most fuel-efficient roads, easily warranting 80-mph limits. That's why we built a network of interstates spanning the continent!
AL - 10 years ago
If the speed limit was raised to 80mph it would be a whole lot safer. Raising speed limits in the region of the 85th percentile speed has an extremely beneficial effect on drivers complying with the posted speed limits. 75 to 80mph is most peoples comfort zone and if your so worried about these slow drivers well that's what the far right lane is for. You slow drivers are the ones frustrating us fast driver. If the speed limit isn't raised you will be one of the 112,000 drivers everyday ticketed for speeding. When your just trying to get to work or school and you get 150 dollar ticket on the way to your job. You will also add $6,232,000,000 paid each year to the states for speeding.
Tom Adams - 11 years ago
I think it would be complete insanity to increase the speed limit at all! Most people are not sufficiently trained to drive this fast. So if the limit is raised to 80 than we will see people drive at 100+ . People are driving at 80 to 100 mph now! Also I feel that a higher standard of driver training is clearly needed and tailgateing has become rampant and a method of gross aggression that is a threat to everyone!
Mark - 11 years ago
I am for it but there must be more to it, we also need to keep the slow movers out of the left lane so the faster vehicles don't have to zig-zag through traffic, some states I have travled through reserve the left lane for fast traffic, you see signs that say "slower traffic keep right", and others for passing only.
I also think that unmarked police cars should be banned from making traffic stops, this would reduce criminals from posing as police and robbing motorist.
speed traps should be banned, it serves no purpose to keep traffic at a safe speed, it's only purpose is for revenue, when police are visible people slow down, and won't be at risk of an accident from being pulled over.
Henry - 11 years ago
The article is misleading in that we are not talking about raising the speed limit to 80 mph. As I understand it, the Michigan State Police would set speed limits to the 85th percentile speed, whether it is 70, 75, 80 or beyond. Speed limits should reflect the speed the overwhelming majority travel at or below. Most rural interstate traffic has a prevailing speed of 80 mph, so it makes sense to post 80 mph. Where it needs to be lower, it will be lower. The 70 mph speed limit, while a HUGE improvement ver the prior 55 and 65 mph limits is still underposted for the large majority of the interstate highway system in Michigan and other states. It is time for speed limits to reflect reality.
Gerald - 11 years ago
One big problem is that there are several stretches of highway where you need to get into the left hand lane to make a connection (like going from westbound M-14 to US-23 by Ann Arbor). It would be rather scary to try and get in that lane with people flying by at 80 MPH.
Owen K. Crawford - 11 years ago
Leave the speed limits alone at 70 MPH on all Rural MI Freeways. The Freeways in Metro Detroit, Flint, Downtown Saginaw, Grand Rapids Metro Area, Metro Lansing Area, Metro Ann Arbor/Yspi. Area should have stay at 65 MPH with trucks at 55 MPH. I would support that all Michigan 2 and 4 line highways can be raise up to 60 MPH. But, US 131 from Schoolcraft to Three Rivers, US 31 from North of Holland to Grand Haven, M-20 from Casino to Meridian Rd (M-30), and all UP Highways should have a 65 MPH and 55 Truck Speed Limit. But, raising the speed limit to 80 MPH IS totally out of the question!!
Brad - 11 years ago
Needs to happen. They fact that they are still the same as they were in the 80's is crazy. Cars are more than able to handle faster speeds nowdays
Steve Parsons - 11 years ago
Not only is this a good idea, but the legislature should also require drivers to keep right unless passing. It's not the fast drivers who are dangerous, it's the slow drivers and especially the slow drivers not keeping right that cause crashes.
Long overdue. Michigan's rural interstates accounted for just over 2% of State-wide traffic deaths, and have the lowest fatality rate per vehicle-mile-travelled of all rural roads. Rural interstates are the fastest, safest, and most fuel-efficient roads, easily warranting 80-mph limits. That's why we built a network of interstates spanning the continent!
If the speed limit was raised to 80mph it would be a whole lot safer. Raising speed limits in the region of the 85th percentile speed has an extremely beneficial effect on drivers complying with the posted speed limits. 75 to 80mph is most peoples comfort zone and if your so worried about these slow drivers well that's what the far right lane is for. You slow drivers are the ones frustrating us fast driver. If the speed limit isn't raised you will be one of the 112,000 drivers everyday ticketed for speeding. When your just trying to get to work or school and you get 150 dollar ticket on the way to your job. You will also add $6,232,000,000 paid each year to the states for speeding.
I think it would be complete insanity to increase the speed limit at all! Most people are not sufficiently trained to drive this fast. So if the limit is raised to 80 than we will see people drive at 100+ . People are driving at 80 to 100 mph now! Also I feel that a higher standard of driver training is clearly needed and tailgateing has become rampant and a method of gross aggression that is a threat to everyone!
I am for it but there must be more to it, we also need to keep the slow movers out of the left lane so the faster vehicles don't have to zig-zag through traffic, some states I have travled through reserve the left lane for fast traffic, you see signs that say "slower traffic keep right", and others for passing only.
I also think that unmarked police cars should be banned from making traffic stops, this would reduce criminals from posing as police and robbing motorist.
speed traps should be banned, it serves no purpose to keep traffic at a safe speed, it's only purpose is for revenue, when police are visible people slow down, and won't be at risk of an accident from being pulled over.
The article is misleading in that we are not talking about raising the speed limit to 80 mph. As I understand it, the Michigan State Police would set speed limits to the 85th percentile speed, whether it is 70, 75, 80 or beyond. Speed limits should reflect the speed the overwhelming majority travel at or below. Most rural interstate traffic has a prevailing speed of 80 mph, so it makes sense to post 80 mph. Where it needs to be lower, it will be lower. The 70 mph speed limit, while a HUGE improvement ver the prior 55 and 65 mph limits is still underposted for the large majority of the interstate highway system in Michigan and other states. It is time for speed limits to reflect reality.
One big problem is that there are several stretches of highway where you need to get into the left hand lane to make a connection (like going from westbound M-14 to US-23 by Ann Arbor). It would be rather scary to try and get in that lane with people flying by at 80 MPH.
Leave the speed limits alone at 70 MPH on all Rural MI Freeways. The Freeways in Metro Detroit, Flint, Downtown Saginaw, Grand Rapids Metro Area, Metro Lansing Area, Metro Ann Arbor/Yspi. Area should have stay at 65 MPH with trucks at 55 MPH. I would support that all Michigan 2 and 4 line highways can be raise up to 60 MPH. But, US 131 from Schoolcraft to Three Rivers, US 31 from North of Holland to Grand Haven, M-20 from Casino to Meridian Rd (M-30), and all UP Highways should have a 65 MPH and 55 Truck Speed Limit. But, raising the speed limit to 80 MPH IS totally out of the question!!
Needs to happen. They fact that they are still the same as they were in the 80's is crazy. Cars are more than able to handle faster speeds nowdays
Not only is this a good idea, but the legislature should also require drivers to keep right unless passing. It's not the fast drivers who are dangerous, it's the slow drivers and especially the slow drivers not keeping right that cause crashes.