News

Lawmaker proposes eliminating slower night time, truck speed limits

AUSTIN, Texas – While Texas already has some of the highest speed limits in the country, one state lawmaker argues sending them even higher could save the state money.

"It just doesn't make sense to drop down,” said State Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, who believes the black-and-white nighttime speed limit signs on Texas highways are a relic Texas should leave in its rear-view mirror.

“With the new technology on the headlights, with the halogen, cars can drive safely at 75 miles per hour at night,” he said.

The speed limits on most rural highways would go up to 75 day and night. The speed limit on I-10 between Kerr County and El Paso County would remain at 80; the highest legal speed limit in the country, which would be in affect 24 hours a day.

Heavily populated cities and counties, however, would still have the authority to set a lower limit on highways, meaning the speed limit on parts of I-35 in Austin might not change.

Elkins said his bill will not cost the state anything. In fact he said it could actually save the state come cash. As the nighttime speed limit signs age, he says the Texas Department of Transportation just should not replace them.

"When we only have to make one sign instead of two or three at each posting,” he said. “It’ll save the state millions of dollars for all those signs all over the state.”

Elkins' bill would also do away with lower speed limits for trucks. In many parts of the state, big rig drivers can legally go no faster than 60 miles per hour.

However, a change in the speed limit for trucks would not necessarily mean a change in speed for trucks.

"Just because the speed limit's there, doesn't mean he needs to run that fast," said truck driver Gary Babbitt.

The Rowlett trucker says he has safely driven 4.2 million miles over the last 40 years – most of them in Texas. He and other industry leaders were giving a trucking safety presentation on the Capitol grounds.

“You want that mile per gallon to last you as long as it can. Once you start topping 65, you’re not getting the most efficient use of your fuel," said John Esparza, president of the Texas Motor Transportation Association.

Data from the Federal Highway Administration indicated as speed limits go up, so does the number of deadly accidents.

Read More About Lawmaker proposes eliminating slower night time, truck speed limits...

back to top