I 95 is not in Idaho (Boise, Idaho Falls: law, stats, safety)
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Location: on the banks of rough creek in Hardin county
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I have noticed quite a few times that US 95 is referred to as I 95. I 95 is on the east coast not in Idaho. This confusion between highway titles could cause some folks a bit of confusion. Most likely I am just being anal about the subject, but that is my right.
Yep. I think it's a matter of a few posts by visitors, one being from 2010, and the OP commented on that already. I can't even imagine how many geography factoids I've gotten wrong myself, posting questions on different boards....
I have also heard Idaho Highway 20 called I-20. No! Highway 20 still carries the US Highway insignia, but it is not an interstate as it doesn't meet the Interstate standards hardly anywhere along its route, with the exception of some areas to the the NE of Idaho Falls. The proper designation should be either US Hwy 20, or simply Highway 20.
I believe the mistake most make is if it looks like a freeway, it must be an "interstate". That is incorrect. Many U.S. or State Highways may have been upgraded to look like Interstates, but until they are designated as such, they are still "highways". Or to be more poltically correct, Interstates must connect between states, though highways connected through states do not automatically become "interstates". The important thing to remember is that Interstates have strict standards, and these are important when it comes to determining speed limits and other regulations.
I have also heard Idaho Highway 20 called I-20. No! Highway 20 still carries the US Highway insignia, but it is not an interstate as it doesn't meet the Interstate standards hardly anywhere along its route, with the exception of some areas to the the NE of Idaho Falls. The proper designation should be either US Hwy 20, or simply Highway 20.
I believe the mistake most make is if it looks like a freeway, it must be an "interstate". That is incorrect. Many U.S. or State Highways may have been upgraded to look like Interstates, but until they are designated as such, they are still "highways". Or to be more poltically correct, Interstates must connect between states, though highways connected through states do not automatically become "interstates". The important thing to remember is that Interstates have strict standards, and these are important when it comes to determining speed limits and other regulations.
Speaking of speed limits, are the 80 mph posted yet? pw72, you seemed to have a good sense of which stretches of Interstates or Highways ( if I understood the above discussion correctly) would be appropriate for the 80 mph. Have you seen signs yet?
Colbert's team picked one of the correct states to follow. Nice that WY passed the law too
No I believe there is a delay by the Idaho Transportation Department to do a study. (Hmm...a nice long costly study...). I assume they are doing their due diligence.
News story on Local News 8 just tonight, the new 80 MPH limits will go into effect July 1st. Will be interesting to see where these will take place. My prediction is I-84 from the Oregon border to Caldwell, just south of Boise to Jerome, then again at the 84/86 split east of Burley. On I-15, from the south, Utah border to Inkom, then north of Idaho Falls to the Montana border.
BTW, the difference between the Oregon border and Idaho will be dramatic, as Oregon still enforces a 65 limit statewide, the lowest in the West. So Ontario across the Snake bridge will be 15 MPH higher on I-84. Westbound, great for the OR State Police, who will be able to write tickets left and right for those going into Oregon. Going 80 to 65 is a major brick and many will simply ignore it, IMO. In this situation, it really isn't about safety, but revenue, as road conditions are similar, if not better in Eastern Oregon.
Imagine the forest of new prohibition signs welcoming you to Oregon on 84! Speed limits! Violation! Fines! "Do not under any circumstances engage in the following behavior, etc, etc"... You won't be able to see the scenery for signs. Oh wait, you can't see the scenery for signs when entering into Oregon, anyway...
Apparently the law does not go into effect until the signs are up. So just keep that in mind, ID drivers. UT drivers, just keep doing what you do, as in ignoring the signs as usual.
I have yet to see stats that show an 80 limit increases fatalities on Interstates. However, the stats are relatively new, and could change.
As to if this will increase the average speed, many say no. Other states that have increased their interstate speed limits show that most don't appreciably increase their speed. I would offer that a higher limit might actually bring drivers closer together with similar speeds.
As always, focused drivers who are aware of hazards and know when to slow down or move left, will come out ahead. Those who check their phones every 10 minutes shouldn't be on the road to begin with.
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