A 41-mile stretch of Texas State Highway 130 that connects Austin and San Antonio now has a speed limit of 85 mph, the highest in the country. Highway speed limits are creeping up nationwide, with 80 mph limits appearing elsewhere in Texas and Utah, and 70 mph limits becoming common across much of the country. And many drivers routinely travel 5 to 10 mph above the posted limits. Maintaining a conservative speed on a fast highway won’t necessarily keep you safe—risks increase for all drivers when there are large differences between the speeds of vehicles on the road. If you’re a faster driver, traveling at high speeds requires taking the following precautions:
- Maintain a safe following distance
- Resist any urge to tailgate slow drivers who won’t get out of your way
- Avoid passing on the right if at all possible
If you’re a slower driver and are not comfortable with high speeds:
- Stay in the right lane(s) as much as possible
- Turn on your right blinker even if you can’t immediately get out of a faster driver’s way
- Drive with your headlights on even during the day
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a highway collision, contact us for a free appraisal.