Since January 7th, 24 U.S. and state highways in Southeast Texas have new posted speed limits of 75 miles per hour, rather than the previously posted speed limit of 70 miles per hour, according to a report released by the Texas Department of Transportation.
“It's an unsafe situation to have speeds that are set too slow because then you have people doing all kinds of different speeds. You want to keep everybody moving at the same speed and that's really a safety factor,” said Marc Shepherd with the Texas Department of Transportation.
Shepherd said the new speed limits are part of a statewide effort in reviewing posted speed limits of 70 miles per hour.
He said a group of engineers examine the roads and determine a safe speed that 85% of the population uses.
“All those signs are really doing is just reflecting what the speed of people typically are driving,” he said.
There will be outliers who travel faster than the posted speed limit as well as individuals who drive slower than the speed limit, Shepherd said, but most people drive a safe and reasonable speed.
Roger Schade, the owner of Diamond S Diner off U.S. 90 in China says he’s happy about the increased speed limit.
“Seventy was ok. Seventy-five is great. It actually brings more people down 90 so we get more business. Plus it makes it a shorter trip to Beaumont, so not as many people mind driving back and forth to China,” he said.
TxDOT has plans to increase more U.S. and state highways in the near future. When they finish, they will move on to FM roads.Speed limit increases on some Southeast Texas highways
Related Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Texas House Democrat Eiland won't seek re-election
- Legislature OKs measure mitigating libel lawsuits
- Texas budget standoff shows late signs of easing
- Dallas exhibit reunites art JFK saw before death
- Pastor sentenced to 2 years for online soliciting
- Boy Scout leaders to vote on lifting gay ban
- Fort Hood suspect seeks to fire Army attorneys
- Stanford chandelier sells for $158,500 at auction
- Man indicted on claim he set fiancee's home ablaze
- Warrant: Mother thought she left baby at day care
- Boy Scout leaders to vote on lifting gay ban
- Man shot to death while questioned in Boston probe
- 10 Things to Know for Thursday
- Okla. men get video of deadly tornado overhead
- Surgeons remove tiger's basketball-sized hairball
- Top AEG lawyer referred to Jackson as 'freak'
- Jury deciding Arias' sentence adjourns for day
- Okla. medical examiner identifies tornado victims
- Human rights group protests US drone killings
- Bill allows Newtown families to release records
- Most of Montreal told to boil drinking water
- Most of Montreal told to boil water
- Puerto Rico legislator targets parents of dropouts
- Little done in Brazil to improve safety after fire
- Argentine Indians ask president for their lands
- Costa Rican volcano spews ash, smoke
- France boosting security at facilities abroad
- Mexico cartel dominates, torches western state
- Vatican releases 1st report of financial watchdog
- Cruise ship captain says he's not frightened by prospect of prison time
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Bernanke signals Fed to maintain stimulus efforts
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Chairman Ben Bernanke is telling Congress that the U.S. job market remains weak and that it is too soon for the Federal Reserve to end its extraordinary stimulus programs.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"DANCING WITH THE STARS" - KELLIE PICKLER WINS
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kellie Pickler didn't win on "American Idol."
Get This
DOG BEACH WEAR
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- From bikinis to Hawaiian shirts -- it's time to gear up for the beach.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: TEENS MOVING TO TWITTER TO DODGE PARENTS, OTHER BORES
WASHINGTON (AP) -- If you're one of those parents who are on Facebook in part to keep an eye on what your kids are up to -- here's a news flash: your kids are on to you and have moved to Twitter.
