Looks like we're getting a 75 mph speed limit (Bangor, Houlton: insurance, construction)

[CoastalMaineiac]

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legi...tem=3&snum=126

I saw news of this being proposed back in March or so, and never heard another word about it, so I looked it up. Apparently, it became law without the governor's signature. It does not automatically raise the limit, but allows the speed limit to be posted up to 75 on the whole Interstate system (except the Turnpike), wherever it is deemed appropriate to do so.

All in all, I good change, I suppose. Wasn't it 70 or 75 on the Interstates back before the gas crunch anyway?

[Submariner]

"Deemed appropriate" by DOT ?

[CoastalMaineiac]

Originally Posted by Submariner

"Deemed appropriate" by DOT ?

That's what I'm assuming. The law says they may post it up to 75 miles an hour, but it doesn't require them to if conditions warrant a lower limit.

[Coaster]

From what I can remember, the top speed limit on the Turnpike and I-95 in Maine before the energy crisis of autumn 1973 was 65. I recall driving from Omaha to Maine in the summer of 1973, and speed limits were 75 on I-80 all the way across to New York, where it dropped to 55 on I-90! I was driving 85-95 mph most of the time (along with the rest of the traffic), so hitting that double nickel in NYState felt like walking through molasses. The New York State Police knew it, too. They were set up just a few miles beyond the border waiting for drivers who were still in fast-lane mode.

[Maineac]

Ya. "Deemed appropriate by the DOT?" There's a brain trust if there ever was one. I just saw them replace a driveway culvert at what I estimated to be a $20,000 to $30,000 cost, 12 guys one day, 8 the other 1.5 days, excavator, van with two guys watching with the ac cranked, several pickup trucks, dually with trailer, dump truck and the delivery vehicle and trailer for the excavator. I could have done it for $1500 and made good money.

Speed limit was 70 mph on I-95 until the gas crunch in the '70's, when Nixon, I think, dropped it to 55 nationwide.

[bwap_bonk]

Originally Posted by Coaster

From what I can remember, the top speed limit on the Turnpike and I-95 in Maine before the energy crisis of autumn 1973 was 65. I recall driving from Omaha to Maine in the summer of 1973, and speed limits were 75 on I-80 all the way across to New York, where it dropped to 55 on I-90! I was driving 85-95 mph most of the time (along with the rest of the traffic), so hitting that double nickel in NYState felt like walking through molasses. The New York State Police knew it, too. They were set up just a few miles beyond the border waiting for drivers who were still in fast-lane mode.

The NY State police are my mortal enemy, who have confiscated vast sums of money from me. For the most part, they are also insufferably rude. If you get a speeding ticket as a resident now, not only do you get hit with a big fine, and increased insurance, the state charges you $150 a year for the next three years!!

I had quite the opposite experience with a Maine state trooper. I had just passed through Bangor on 95 around 1AM or so, on the way to meet a buddy at BSP. In my old 17 year old Camry with NY plates, I got pulled over doing 81. The trooper asked me where I was going, and if I had ever gotten a ticket in Maine. Told him BSP, and no. Takes my info, goes back to his car for a bit, and comes back with an actual written warning, asked if I could please slow down a little bit, and told me to enjoy my stay. Made such a great impression on me. Classy cop.

[mainebrokerman]

maineac is right,,,it was 70..
before the gas crunch

with all the road construction,,,,im sure they ill keep it down..

id like to see 75....all the way up thru on the interstate, and 295

[Maineac]

Everyone's doing 74 anyway, precisely 9mph over the limit. I don't think jacking that to 84 is going to make much difference in accidents, but a guy in a Saab just smoked a moose up in Alton the other day. Moose totaled, Saab totaled, driver O.K. Remember that those big black bastards don't have the green eye deer have. More like silver dollar suspended in the dark until you hit them.

[CoastalMaineiac]

Originally Posted by Maineac

Everyone's doing 74 anyway, precisely 9mph over the limit. I don't think jacking that to 84 is going to make much difference in accidents, but a guy in a Saab just smoked a moose up in Alton the other day. Moose totaled, Saab totaled, driver O.K. Remember that those big black bastards don't have the green eye deer have. More like silver dollar suspended in the dark until you hit them.

Good advice on the moose! They are definitely harder to see at night than deer.

But I don't think jacking up the speed limit will significantly affect how fast people drive. I've driven up to Houlton on that stretch of I-95 that already has a 75 mile per hour limit, and I would say that a good 90% of drivers appeared to be at or under the limit. In fact, while maintaining a steady 73 miles per hour (on cruise control), I found myself to be among the faster moving vehicles, often having to move left to overtake people I was gaining on.

Human nature isn't that much different south of the Volvo Line, ;-) so I don't think the results would be much different there.

[JoulesMSU]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaineiac

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legi...tem=3&snum=126

I saw news of this being proposed back in March or so, and never heard another word about it, so I looked it up. Apparently, it became law without the governor's signature. It does not automatically raise the limit, but allows the speed limit to be posted up to 75 on the whole Interstate system (except the Turnpike), wherever it is deemed appropriate to do so.

All in all, I good change, I suppose. Wasn't it 70 or 75 on the Interstates back before the gas crunch anyway?

The speed limit was already 75 on I-95 for some parts between Bangor and Houlton since at least 2011 (the first time I'd ever been up there).

*Edit: bah, didn't read the whole thread. Guy above me already pointed it out. lol