Texas mulls upping speed limit to 85 mph

Texas and Utah are the two states that have 80-mph posted speed limits. But Texas wants to up the ante to 85.

State officials are considering changing the limit on Highway 130, which runs between San Antonio and Austin.

Some complain that the raised speed limit will cost lives, but numerous studies have shown that the safest roads are the ones on which everyone travels at the same speed. Studies on the stretch in question have found that most motorists cruise at 85 mph.

The new limit would give Texas the second-highest posted limit in the world. Germany still rules with no-limit sections of the autobahn. Poland has a highway on which the limit is 86 mph.

While it might not be on the autobahn, any way we can get to where we're going faster—legally—is all good in our book.

By Jake Lingeman