No way this idea would work in Georgia. (Atlanta, Savannah: safe, moving)

[cqholt]

Texas is building a super-fast, tolled freeway. Speed limit 85 mph. How many people will die on this freeway?
The Fastest Road in America - Commute - The Atlantic Cities

[BobKovacs]

What's the big deal? It's not like it's running through the middle of downtown Houston, and the curves were designed/sized for the higher speeds. 85 isn't unusual on the roads around here, even where it's not allowed.

What we need is an Autobahn-like road system without speed limits, where you get ticketed for not staying out of the left lane if you're going too slow.

[cqholt]

What's the big deal? It's not like it's running through the middle of downtown Houston, and the curves were designed/sized for the higher speeds. 85 isn't unusual on the roads around here, even where it's not allowed

read the article, "Speed is one of the biggest contributors to deadly traffic accidents, and Texas boasts one of the country's higher rates of road fatalities." What if an armadillo crawls out in front of the car, you don't have enough time to avoid it or another car.

[BobKovacs]

Originally Posted by cqholt

read the article, "Speed is one of the biggest contributors to deadly traffic accidents, and Texas boasts one of the country's higher rates of road fatalities." What if an armadillo crawls out in front of the car, you don't have enough time to avoid it or another car.

There's not necessarily a cause-effect relationship between Texas having one of the highest incidences of road fatalities and having a new 85 MPH highway, though. Germany has the Autobahn, with no speed limit, yet they have a much lower rate of highway fatalities than we do. Maybe that's because they're required to take extensive driver education classes, and they have more respect for the rules, such as moving out of the way of a faster vehicle.

Maybe if we started enforcing the laws that we have, like keeping right except to pass, people would drive better and the rate of accidents would decrease. They need to ticket the jack-bag that's weaving in and out of lanes, or swerving while texting, rather than the guy who's doing 85 in a 65. Do that often enough, and you'd relieve some congestion.

[ATLTJL]

Quite honestly, I think the biggest inhibitor to high speeds being safe is tractor trailers. They can't react nearly as quickly and people behind them can't see what is going on in front of them.

That, and rain. I don't care what the road is made of and what you're driving, if there's a sheet of water on the road, it simply isn't safe to drive over 50. The only major accident I ever had was in the rain. Before that, I had never experienced a full hydroplane, but when it happens, your life is literally in the hands of God, fate, or whatever you believe in. Fate was on my side and I walked away with a busted car, but no scratches. I also did everything right, eased off the accelerator and steered in the same direction as the fishtail. It didn't matter, I had zero traction. I ended up against a guard rail facing the opposite side of traffic. It can happen to anyone, I had pretty new expensive Michelin all weather tires.

I will never tell anyone not to cruise at 70 or 75, I do it all the time still, but please, please be careful in the rain!

[gtcorndog]

I don't see what is wrong with this. It is a limited access toll road designed specifically for this purpose. I just drove to/from Charlotte the past few days and the average highway speed was between 75-80 on a road not designed for it. That never felt unsafe.

Removed - Do not discuss other posters in the forum, please.

[Columbuskidd92]

I think Savannah is the only city in GA,who have a still trolley now.

[Mattie]

Are there really enough people willing to pay $.125 per mile to drive at 85? I'm pretty happy doing 70 mph on 85 for free. I wonder what the minimum speed limit is. If people are paying, they will expect everyone else on the road to maintain that 85mph. Too much pressure for me.

[cqholt]

I think cqholt is just mad that it is faster than his 13 mph streetcar

I'll have you know MARTA does 70 mph along 400 as the cars are stuck in afternoon commute. It averages 50 mph in the tunnels.

I think Savannah is the only city in GA,who have a still trolley now

Downtown Streetcar Loop in Atlanta.

[neil0311]

Much of Texas is flat prairie or desert. Not a big deal for a flat, straight road if people drive with proper courtesy and attention.