Governor Inslee partially vetoes increasing speed limits (Seattle: 2015, income)

[PS90]

Gov. Inslee puts brakes on 75 mph speed limit

I can see the prudence in wanting more studies done to prove the safety of increasing speed, but it's not as if this is a first-in-the-nation kind of law. There are plenty of other states that have much higher speed limits than WA:

Speed limit laws

It would seem like many of those states with higher speed limit laws have already done some kind of safety studies (I will have to search for them when I have time) - can't Inslee just look those up?

Or does he think that Washingtonians need to be baby-sat more than citizens of other states?


P.S. Interestingly, Oregon has the second-slowest speed limits in the country. Maybe that's part of Inslee's motivation - since WA and OR have recently been as monkey-see-monkey-do as any two states can be?

[Dendrite]

Oh well, there's always Idaho or Utah:

[PS90]

Here are a couple of articles, maybe biased, I don't know:

Foundation Study Shows: Safe To Raise Freeway Speed Limits

The Effects of Raising and Lowering the Speed Limit | NMA

But I found those with a 5-second Google search. I'm sure Inslee's cronies could have looked for studies that have already been done before just vetoing the whole bill.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Well, if the speed limit is raised in the rural counties, what are all those poor, lurking State Patrol persons going to have left to do???

[PS90]

Originally Posted by thisplacesucks

Well, if the speed limit is raised in the rural counties, what are all those poor, lurking State Patrol persons going to have left to do???

Yeah. I think it's an unfounded rumor, but I've heard conspiracy theories that the reason they reneged on the unlimited speed limits in the daytime in Montana a few years back, was because the state was losing speeding-ticket income, not because they were worried about lack of safety.

[j_k_k]

I myself have never been comfortable with Idaho's 75 limit, but since it doesn't apply through the Boise area, I rarely get to step on it to that degree. That said, I don't think it does harm in more lightly traveled areas. While it irritates me that the limit on the Oregon side in the Gorge is 65, I wouldn't want it raised. Between Ontario and Hermiston, though, and even partway to The Dalles, I could see it.

[angelenogirl]

Originally Posted by PS90

Or does he think that Washingtonians need to be baby-sat more than citizens of other states?

It seems that way. I'm surprised we aren't required to wear helmets while driving our cars.

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

I myself have never been comfortable with Idaho's 75 limit

Which was increased to 80 in various parts of the state last summer.

Speed limit now 80 mph on some Idaho interstates

We'll see how that all goes for ID but I'm not holding my breath for an increase in WA speed limits...

[98346]

I currently live in Michigan where the speed limit is 70. Realistically, traffic rarely moves below 80, even during higher volume traffic times. It can be downright scary, and I'm not a timid driver. About a year ago, I sold my motorcycle because I wasn't comfortable mixing it up with inattentive drivers, minimally-regulated commercial trucks, and less than ideally maintained cars. Before moving here, I commuted by motorcycle daily in Los Angeles - El Segundo (LAX area) to near Pomona (inland). That felt safer to me than it did here. When we visit Washington, especially Seattle, I love the 60 MPH speed limit, especially on a bike.

Just take a look at the number of traffic related deaths between Michigan and Washington - I wonder if the difference is speed related?

[NoNansea]

Originally Posted by angelenogirl

It seems that way. I'm surprised we aren't required to wear helmets while driving our cars.

angelinogirl~ You know the most nanny/police state is California. For the 2014 year, California passed over 800 new laws. Washington enacted 11, I believe.

It's difficult going 60 mph on the freeways here in Washington, at least it is if you're used to driving in so California.

If you go over 65, you stand out because everyone is doing 60. Easy for the State Troopers to pick you off.

Where the speed limit in so cal is 65, most people drive at 75. Some faster.