With the reputation that Texas drivers have, it’s not much of a surprise that the highest speed limit in the country is in the Lonestar State. This is all about to change however, as legislators have pushed the Can’t Slow Us Down bill aimed to completely do away with select highways in Texas.
As large and magnificent the state of Texas is, driving from one city to another for vacation, business, or otherwise, can be grueling commute lasting anywhere from 5 to 8 hours depending on the destination and bladder size of passengers. As soon as next year, Texas legislators aim to expedite inter-state traveling.
The present law in Texas states that the Texas Transportation Commission can set speed limits from 75 to 85 mph “if the highway is designed to accommodate that speed on the highway system if that speed is determined to be safe and reasonable after a traffic or engineering study,” stated Texas Department of Transportation officials.
Recently, however, officials have decided that this wasn’t fast enough.
“We Texans are known for our love of freedom and our need for speed,” declared State Senator Noam Quick, the bill’s primary sponsor. “This legislation is about embracing our Texas spirit and giving drivers the opportunity to unleash their horsepower without the oppressive constraints of speed limits.”
Select highways in consideration for the designated “speed zones” include Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston, as well as the Texas 130 – the present record holder for the highest speed limit in the country.
“Texas isn’t just big in size, it’s big in speed,” said Representative Ann Maverick, co-sponsor of the bill. “We envision a future where the only limit on the Lone Star State’s highways is the horsepower under your hood.”
With all signs showing the bill passing legislation, the Can’t Stop Us bill is expected to go into action early next year. Actually, probably not ever because…
April Fools!