Idaho, Wyoming poised to get 80 mph speed limit

[mick silver]

By Chris Bruce (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-bruce/)RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-bruce/rss.xml)
Posted Mar 28th 2014 5:45PM

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Comments[URL="http://www.autoblog.com/2014/03/28/idaho-wyoming-speed-limits-increase-80-mph-video/#aol-comments"]45
(http://www.autoblog.com/#)

http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/968x1296+0+0/resize/250x335!/format/jpg/quality/85/http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/f32869d0d6d8448f402974690ec3b82e/5069e7568a684d4f9a6bde0ffbe2c0e4.jpeg (http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/Idaho-Highway-and-Interstate-Speed-Limit-Changes--252049791.html)You should be able to drive across the Northwestern part of the United States a little more quickly in the coming months. Idaho and Wyoming have just passed laws to raise some interstate speed limits to 80 miles per hour.

The Idaho law goes into effect on July 1, but there could be a delay because the Idaho Transportation Department is still conducting safety surveys to decide where to raise limits. It might be late summer before drivers actually see a change. According to a report (http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/Idaho-Highway-and-Interstate-Speed-Limit-Changes--252049791.html) from local television news station KMVT, the department actually opposed the bill, but it was pushed through by the state's legislature. Now, the agency has to find a way to implement the change. (Scroll down (http://www.autoblog.com/2014/03/28/idaho-wyoming-speed-limits-increase-80-mph-video/#continued) to watch a video of a KMVT news broadcast explaining the development).

The Wyoming law also begins on July 1, and according to theCasper Star-Tribune (http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/advocates-of-mph-speed-limit-say-it-makes-roads-safer/article_973ef28c-313b-5933-b4cc-125983709ba1.html?comment_form=true), the state's department of transportation is conducting studies to decide where to increase speeds. It hasn't said when changes start. However, the department strongly believes the increase won't cause more accidents, but if it does, then the limits could be lowered.

Currently, Texas has the highest posted speed limit in the countryat 85 mph along a 41-mile stretch of toll road (http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/10/texas-toll-road-approved-for-85-mph-speed-limit/)between San Antonio and Austin. Texas and Utah have posted 80 mph on some other interstates as well. So if you're in the mood for some higher-speed interstate cruising, the answer is clearer than ever: Go West, young man.
SPEEDLIMIT PKG 032414http://cdn.bimvid.com/KMVT/1395723323-still.jpg

view on site (http://www.kmvt.com/news/local/Idaho-Highway-and-Interstate-Speed-Limit-Changes--252049791.html)

[midnight rambler]

What a car looks like after hitting a feral hog when going 85 MPH in an 85 MPH speed zone -

http://media2.kxan.com//photo/2013/03/29/Family_crashes_into_feral_hogs_on_130_773400000_20 130329223600_640_480.JPG

[Dogman]

Like a story tale once upon a time there were several western states that had No high end speed limit, let it rip! Lots of miles between anything interesting, so Scotty engage warp drive. True for several states back when, there was no speed limit.

[Uncle Salty]

What a car looks like after hitting a feral hog when going 85 MPH in an 85 MPH speed zone -

http://media2.kxan.com//photo/2013/03/29/Family_crashes_into_feral_hogs_on_130_773400000_20 130329223600_640_480.JPG

Is that much different than hitting a feral hog a 75 mph?

[midnight rambler]

Is that much different than hitting a feral hog a 75 mph?

I wouldn't think so, however TxDOT in their infinite wisdom keeps the posted speed limit on Texas 130 at 85 MPH despite there being a shitload of feral hogs in that part of the country. They DID however put up some signs in the 85 MPH zone that say something to the effect of 'WARNING FERAL HOGS'. lol Those who frequently travel 130 at night KNOW not to go more than 60-65 'cause there WILL be feral hogs wandering across 130. It's like "How lucky do I feel tonight?" if one goes hauling ass down 130 since one can count on seeing feral hogs.

Hogs are about as solid an animal as there is, and hitting a hog is like hitting a rock.

[Dogman]

I wouldn't think so, however TxDOT in their infinite wisdom keeps the posted speed limit on Texas 130 at 85 MPH despite there being a shitload of feral hogs in that part of the country. They DID however put up some signs in the 85 MPH zone that say something to the effect of 'WARNING FERAL HOGS'. lol Those who frequently travel 130 at night KNOW not to go more than 60-65 'cause there WILL be feral hogs wandering across 130. It's like "How lucky do I feel tonight?" if one goes hauling ass down 130 since one can count on seeing feral hogs.

Hogs are about as solid an animal as there is, and hitting a hog is like hitting a rock.

Hogs and deer can and will ruin your day at speed!

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[Ponce]

AT 55 mph or at 80 mph........a accident is a accident and nothing can saved you of what will happen, I should know.

V

[midnight rambler]

Given the choice I'd sooner hit a 100# deer rather than a 300+# hog.

[Dogman]

Given the choice I'd sooner hit a 100# deer rather than a 300+# hog.

Good point!

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[horseshoe3]

Given the choice I'd sooner hit a 100# deer rather than a 300+# hog.

Either one will mess up the front end. But the deer is much more likely to come through the windshield and mess up your face. I'll choose the hog.

[Shami-Amourae]

The fastest you can drive on highways around where I live is 65 MPH. And the fastest in-town is 35 MPH. I agree with the 35 MPH in town though now since everything is so compact. I didn't understand that at first coming from Southern California where you drive much faster, but it makes sense now. Everything in Idaho are just at a slower pace.

A lot of the highways I drove in Wyoming were 65 MPH and that never made any sense to me since you'd get no traffic.

[Dogman]

Either one will mess up the front end. But the deer is much more likely to come through the windshield and mess up your face. I'll choose the hog.

Another truth and real! Both are bad!

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[midnight rambler]

Either one will mess up the front end. But the deer is much more likely to come through the windshield and mess up your face. I'll choose the hog.

How many deer have you hit? I've hit two and in both cases it did very little damage to the front end.

[mick silver]

http://www.outdooroddities.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/whitetail_deer_in_grill_of_car.jpghttp://www.fieldandstream.com/files/imagecache/photo-article/photo/18/ATT21543.jpghttp://jesustrek.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/car-hit-deer.jpg

[mick silver]

http://cdn.theborneopost.com/newsimages/2012/03/A2012041191.jpghttp://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608056262705874546&pid=1.7

[midnight rambler]

I'm not the least bit concerned about deer as all my trucks sit fairly high (at stock height), and the one that sits the lowest (which is still higher than most) has one of the old style (much heavier steel) Ranch Hand replacement bumpers. Around here most deer are less than 100# anyway.

It appears to me that the two last images are the result of a moose and not a deer.

[mick silver]

last to were wild hogs

[Twisted Titan]

Make it a million miles a hour.

You have to use common sense.

Whenever I am in unfamiliar territory and unfavorable conditions I slow the eff down.

I have no problems peeling to the side to let Billy Badass Blow by.

Its only a matter of time before reality catches up with idiots like that..


Use common sense and more times then not you will have safe trip.

[Dogman]

Deer and or hogs both are bad ass to hit.

Hogs there is more of a chance to them to be run over , and ? what the damage will be.

Deer have a higher center of gravity and tend to go over or hit the windshield and visit you.

Hit one deer outside of brady texas (think center of this state) late at night, years ago. Many near misses here over the years all at night.

Never have yet seen a hog on the road here, tho this area is infested with them.

Deer comming at you through the windshield is the greater hazard, tho a hog may and could make you lose control of what you are driving, Hog = super sized dog methinks, they go under, deer seem to go over the hood.

Both will ruin ones day/night/week etc!

[madfranks]

Use common sense and more times then not you will have safe trip.

This +1. I am of the opinion that the speed limit is a very poor indication of safe driving. You could have just worked an all-nighter, driving home in a rainstorm at 65 MPH and be driving very unsafely. Alternately, you could be on your morning commute, refreshed and alert from a full night's rest, on a clear and open highway where 90+ would be safe. The primary function of the speed limit is to generate revenue from non-violent "offenders" who drive faster than the arbitrary limit. "Safety" is merely their claim to legitimacy.

[Libertytree]

As to the OP...So what? Who cares?

[madfranks]

A stretch of highway I take for my daily commute happens to be very low volume, and has a slight downward slope for miles, and on a clear morning you can literally see the open road ahead of you for miles. On this road driving the 65 limit feels like a snails pace, and it is so tempting to hit the pedal and cruise between 90 and 100. A few choice mornings I have done this too, and due to the conditions I never felt any less safe. The fact is though, on this highway, almost every day I find multiple cop cars parked on the shoulder with their radar guns out nabbing the people who naturally speed up to 75+ simply due to the fact that this highway accommodates fast traffic so easily. These donut munchers sit there all day extorting money from folks, and I'm sure they go home every day with a satisfied grin on their faces for "keeping the roads safe another day".

[Buddha]

I was gonna say speed limit means nothing to me, then again I don't/didn't drive like an asshole. SL is 65 MPH around here 70 on some hiways. I usually do the speed limit, saves gas. Like TT said I'll let Henry Hardcore go by, I don't care, and trying to save gas i'll get there at the same time, 10 - 30 mile drive it ain't gonna make that much differance.

Last time I drove a long way comming back from Nashville SL was like 80 or 75 in those parts, did 90 the whole way, my choice. If I didn't feel safe I wouldn't have done it. No traffic, middle of the day. More worried about cops than anything else.

[hoarder]

Higher speed limits would have been nice back when gas was $1.20 a gallon. I think a lot of people around here would drive 65 in a 80 MPH zone to save gas.

[Tumbleweed]

I used to drive a big truck pulling doubles on a 150 mile stretch of road at night between Rapid City and Gillette on I 90. In the fall through the hills it was a slaughter house with a speed limit of 75 mph for cars. I'd leave Rapid City about 1:30 am and there would be dead deer scattered all along the route that had been run into. On the way back in daylight quite often I'd see guys out with their knives getting the backstraps and hind quarters. Every once in a while I'd see an HP hassling them. SOB's

[horseshoe3]

How many deer have you hit? I've hit two and in both cases it did very little damage to the front end.

I've hit 9. I live in a very heavily infested deer area, so I get a lot of experience. BTW, these are Kansas deer, not Texas deer. The does range from 120 to 180 and the bucks can be well over 300. I have personally shot one that weighed 305 and gave 112 pounds of meat.

1. 1978 Impala. 50 mph. Knocked the deer out in front of me and then went over it before I could stop. Right front fender pushed almost back to the tire. Headlight and grill broken. Hood OK.

2. 1995 Bonneville. <10 mph. Deer sat on hood as I hit it. I stopped and he got off and ran away. Minor wrinkling of hood.

3. 1995 Bonneville. 30 mph. Deer was climbing out of the ditch and stuck his head in front of my headlight. Headlight assembly ruined, no other damage.

4. 1995 Bonneville. 45 mph. Square hit on deer running across road. Major hood damage. Headlight assembly and grill both shattered.

5. 1995 Bonneville. 20 mph. Deer ran into side of car at front wheel. Shattered plastic front fender. No other damage.

6. 1978 FJ40. 45 mph. Bent channel iron bumper back 5-10 degrees. No other damage.

7. 1978 C30 flatbed. 30 mph. Deer ran into side of flatbed. No damage.

8. 1993 Suburban. 35 mph. Square hit. Bent bumper back, shattered grill.

and the best for last:

9. 1986 Camry. 60 mph. Deer crossing road. Square hit. Deer bounced off grill and hood, skimmed windshield, and went over roof. I looked in the mirror in time to watch it land. Hood molded to engine like tinfoil on a turkey. Shattered grill, headlight assembly. Radiator, condenser and fan shroud folded around engine. Battery broken. Battery tray bent.

[Glass]

we get a lot of these in the northwest.

http://greynomadsabroad.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/blog-kakadu-buffalo.jpg?w=640&h=423

We also get a lot of brangus which are even bigger. In the Northern territory the speed limit was open limit. We've had some cannon ball runs up there. Now not strictly in the NT but I did a 160km run up that way. I was 100% focused on the road. My passenger from that part of the world was packing his dacks (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Dacks). He drove on the way back and then I could see the wild life along the side of the road. There were damn big buffalo wandering around. Unlike this guy in the pic there a not many fences up there. Even for the farmed beef, they are pretty much free range until the muster starts.

The NT open limit was shut down for many years. I think 10. After that the NT Govt said, there has been no change in road accidents so the lower limit is uneccessary and they opened it up again. The unspoken is that upto 160kph the cops will leave you alone. Above that and they will want to talk to you.

[milehi]

I was comfortably over triple digits (not km's) when these guys started popping up on the road.

[monty]

Like a story tale once upon a time there were several western states that had No high end speed limit, let it rip! Lots of miles between anything interesting, so Scotty engage warp drive. True for several states back when, there was no speed limit.

Nevada had a speed limit safe and reasonable until Nixon imposed the 55 mile per hour speed limit to save gasoline during the "gas shortage". I have driven at speeds of 100 mph many miles in my younger days. Nevada used to have a system in the NHP cars called vascar before they used radar. The NHP was buying 440 Magnum powered Dodge cars in those days. I tuned the car for the resident patrolman in our little town. He and I would road test his car. If it wouldn't reach 153 miles per hour on the vascar we tweaked it until it did. I have driven the 207 miles to Las Vegas in 2 hours flat before the speed limit.

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[monty]

Either one will mess up the front end. But the deer is much more likely to come through the windshield and mess up your face. I'll choose the hog.

We have mustangs, before the highways were fenced they would often be on the highways, if you hit one, because of the high center of gravity of a horse he definitely will come through the windshield. Also cattle were on the highway too, but seldom came through the windshield though many were hit by cars.

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