Will Oregon ever have a speed limit higher then 65 mph? (Portland: home, tax)

[KaaBoom]

Most all western states, already have, are in the process of, or will soon be raising the speed limit to 80 mph. Washington and California are only 70 mph, though it should 80 in California, because thats the de facto speed limit anyway.

Then there is Oregon an island, being the only state west of the Mississippi to have a speed limit below 70. Most speed limits in Oregon seem pretty reasonable, and comparable to neighboring states, until you get to the interstates. In some cases it seems you can legally drive the same speed on a two lane road parallel to an interstate, that you can drive on the interstate it's self.

It seems to me the only reason for a 65 mph speed limit on the interstate is to generate speed tax revenue, especially in Jackson County.

So will Oregon ever have a speed limit higher then 65 mph?

[Aganusn]

I'm from Oregon but lived on the east coast for awhile for work and when I would visit back home I'd go nuts cause I had to go so slow.

[PNW-type-gal]

I suspect that I5, from Eugene to just south of Portland, will be 70. Probably with a drop down through Salem. The rest of the state? Probably not.

[Sherwoody]

Highways with three + lanes should be increased to at least 70. Better yet, I'd like to see each of the lanes have an increase in speed limit. 55 - 65 - 75?

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by Aganusn

I'm from Oregon but lived on the east coast for awhile for work and when I would visit back home I'd go nuts cause I had to go so slow.

I can do it, but I have to use cruise control, and even then I keep it set for five over. At least the cruise control keeps me from getting tickets.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

I suspect that I5, from Eugene to just south of Portland, will be 70. Probably with a drop down through Salem. The rest of the state? Probably not.

The only news stories I can find are about proposals to raise the speed limit in eastern Oregon to 70, which don't seem to be going anywhere. But I-5 sure needs 70 mph too.

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by Sherwoody

Highways with three + lanes should be increased to at least 70. Better yet, I'd like to see each of the lanes have an increase in speed limit. 55 - 65 - 75?

Thats a good idea. I have thought about a system like that before. But to make it work, I think there would have to be a minimum speed limit for each lane too. Other wise there would still be left lane blockers going 55 in the 75 lane. Then you would have to speed to pass them in a slower lane.

[Sherwoody]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

Thats a good idea. I have thought about a system like that before. But to make it work, I think there would have to be a minimum speed limit for each lane too. Other wise there would still be left lane blockers going 55 in the 75 lane. Then you would have to speed to pass them in a slower lane.

Those are what I refer to as Portland Metro Zombies.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/portl...ivers-may.html

[wanderbygrace]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

The only news stories I can find are about proposals to raise the speed limit in eastern Oregon to 70, which don't seem to be going anywhere. But I-5 sure needs 70 mph too.

IDK about that, especially with so much of I-5 being only two lanes. Raising it much more would likely lead to far more collisions. And don't forget that trucks do the same speed, so that makes it even worse.

I'm from Ohio, so I can certainly understand and appreciate higher speeds, but Oregon isn't really built for much more than it already has.

I'd be far more impressed with busting the folks in the left lane who insist on going BELOW (or even at) the speed limit. That drives me nuts.

What's the point? Drivers here can't seem to manage to go more than about 5 mph below the speed limit while in the left lane.

Increase the speed limit and instead of going 5-10 below, they'll now be going 10-15 below.