Could I-16 handle a higher speed limit? (Atlanta, Savannah: insurance, hotel)

[toll_booth]

I-16 is a rather flat, gently curving interstate with only moderate levels of traffic outside Macon and Savannah. I think that these conditions indicate that on the rural stretches, the speed limit could be raised to 80 without causing much trouble. Maybe higher. And if doing so does not cause a measurable increase in traffic fatalities, other rural interstates should be considered for higher speed limits, particularly I-75 south of Macon.

What do you think? What should the speed limit be on I-16?

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by toll_booth

I-16 is a rather flat, gently curving interstate with only moderate levels of traffic outside Macon and Savannah. I think that these conditions indicate that on the rural stretches, the speed limit could be raised to 80 without causing much trouble. Maybe higher. And if doing so does not cause a measurable increase in traffic fatalities, other rural interstates should be considered for higher speed limits, particularly I-75 south of Macon.

What do you think? What should the speed limit be on I-16?

Either 80 or 85 miles-per-hour.

[ellie]

Keep the tractor trailers in the right hand lane at all times and at 65 mph and we'd have better flow.

[boo radley]

At least 85. I-16 is one lonesome highway. Getting off of it as quickly as possible is a good thing.

[Newsboy]

WHAT'S THE POINT? Despite a posted speed of 70 mph, the average on I-16 is already 80 mph and cops never pull over anybody going slower than that. I know. I've driven it for years at between 75-80 and routinely pass cops in the median who wave me on by. They don't pull people over until you get closer to 85-90 mph ... And there's no shortage of those either.

And I think your observation that I-16 carries only "moderate" traffic ignores two very important facts: Much of that traffic involves heavy trucks and tourists trying to make good time between Atlanta and Savannah, and on certain days and at certain times it can be QUITE heavy -- a lot heavier than you'd imagine if you rarely drive that route. Again, I've been driving back and forth regularly along I-16 for 22 years and the increase in traffic during that time is mind blowing. In the early 1990s, I could make the drive from Macon to Savannah on a Sunday night and encounter only a few dozen cars in both directions. Now on most weekends, I--16 is bumper-to-bumper both directions. And that traffic moves VERY fast!

[cwkimbro]

I remember this being brought up years ago. Two big things came of it. The insurance industry promised it would lead to higher auto-insurance rates in the state of Georgia and they had charts from their data showing increased speed limits will lead to an increase in accidents. I believe them actually, especially given that people are very loose with our speed limits here anyways. I don't think it is worth it.

I definitely would not increase it for any part of the I-75 corridor for sure! That is actually heavily traveled for a rural interstate. I've been down it with light traffic before, but in summer its a huge hodge podge of vacation traffic and trucks. For a rural interstate it keeps moving but it can get thick.

I-16 comparatively has less traffic.

[Drewplanner]

Keep it at 70, and people will drive what speed they want - if your car doesnt allow your foot to push the pedal higher than a posted speed limit... then thats another set of issues.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

WHAT'S THE POINT? Despite a posted speed of 70 mph, the average on I-16 is already 80 mph and cops never pull over anybody going slower than that. I know. I've driven it for years at between 75-80 and routinely pass cops in the median who wave me on by. They don't pull people over until you get closer to 85-90 mph ... And there's no shortage of those either.

And I think your observation that I-16 carries only "moderate" traffic ignores two very important facts: Much of that traffic involves heavy trucks and tourists trying to make good time between Atlanta and Savannah, and on certain days and at certain times it can be QUITE heavy -- a lot heavier than you'd imagine if you rarely drive that route. Again, I've been driving back and forth regularly along I-16 for 22 years and the increase in traffic during that time is mind blowing. In the early 1990s, I could make the drive from Macon to Savannah on a Sunday night and encounter only a few dozen cars in both directions. Now on most weekends, I--16 is bumper-to-bumper both directions. And that traffic moves VERY fast!

As far as the notice of increased traffic since the early 90's, I agree with you 100%. Night and day difference. Also, even though the majority of 16 is still VERY rural, there have been a few things to pop up along side it since then.

Pooler, for starters, was NOTHING of what it is now and up until sometime around 2001/02, the Pooler Parkway exit (and most of the parkway itself) didn't even exist.
Southbridge was also in its infancy in the early 90s and didn't produce any traffic from Dean Forest Road back then.
Even closer in to Savannah, Chatham Parkway didn't have anything on it. I think Chatham Center was completed close to 1990 (?) and that was about it.

Further out, Metter had a few things, but there have certainly been fast food (and even a hotel) additions in the last 20 years. Certainly Dublin's exit 51 has expanded in amenities.

To a much lesser extent, the Jeffersonville exit has added a hotel and gas station. Then within the last 10 years has a new distribution center. (exit 24)

To finish, I'd say that despite the noticeably increased traffic counts along 16, I still would vote for a higher speed limit. 75 or 80. No higher than 80 posted though. I would love to be able to drive 90 down 16 without fear of being pulled over!

[atl1221]

I agree it could be 75, but the state law capping GA speed limits on limited access highways would need to be increased. Right now the highest a speed limit can be is 70.

As far as other GA interstates, I think I-75 between Cordele and Valdosta could safely handle 75 as well as I-20 between Social Circle to West of Augusta.

[DJDeadParrot]

I've only ever driven the length of it once about 5 years ago. My recollection is that the surface was concrete in various states of repairs; anything from brand new and glass smooth to something that looks like a Soviet icebreaker forcefully bisected it.