With federal funding for highways drying up, some states have resorted to a new tactic: raising speed limits on toll roads to lure motorists looking to save time.

Although the rationale behind the makes sense — as well as dollars and cents — a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike said that did not factor into the Turnpike Commission’s decision to raise the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph on a 97-mile section from Blue Mountain to Morgantown that passes through Lancaster County.

Rather, the change was part of Act 89, the transportation funding bill that increased funding for bridges and highways. The Act also updated the state vehicle code, and that included a provision to allow PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission to increase speed limits in areas where it is deemed “suitable.”

The Turnpike’s new speed limit went into effect Wednesday. But it’s not just the Turnpike that is hiking speed limits. At a news conference Wednesday, PennDOT announced plans to raise the speed limit to 70 mph next month on 88 miles of Interstate 80 from Du Bois in Clearfield County to Clinton County and 21 miles of I-380 from I-84 in Lackawanna County to the Pocono Pines/Mount Pocono exit in Monroe County. Routes 283 and 222 in Lancaster County might also see the speed limit increased to 70 mph once PennDOT completes a study.

Pennsylvania is far from alone in raising its speed limit. Thirty-six states have speed limits of 70 mph or above. Utah and Idaho top out at 80 mph while a new Texas toll road allows drivers to lawfully cruise at 85 mph.

Most roadways with higher speed limits are located in rural areas where traffic volume is lower.

While critics point out that speed is a contributing factor in roughly one-third of all fatal accidents, Utah did its own research. The Utah Department of Transportation conducted a study beginning in 2008 on a stretch of I-15 where the speed limit was set at 75 mph. Not only was there a 20 percent drop in the number of people exceeding the posted speed limit, there was an 11 percent to 20 percent reduction in speed-related crashes on sections of the road that were being reviewed.

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The study also found that the actual speed maintained by drivers on that stretch was about 82 to 84 mph, whether the posted speed limit was 75 mph or 80 mph.

According to the National Motorists Association, traffic engineers set speed limits according to the 85th percentile of flowing traffic. That means the limit should be set at a level at or under which 85 percent of people are driving. Numerous studies have shown that the 85th percentile is the safest possible level at which to set a speed limit.

Additional studies have found that people driving 10 mph or slower than the prevailing speed are more likely to be involved in accidents.

Although speed limits are being raised to 70 mph in selected areas, some zones within those areas carry reduced speed restrictions. seconds.

State police have said they will strictly enforce the 70 mph speed limit.

The Turnpike is designed for faster speeds and automobiles are safer today than ever before. That said, safety remains the driver’s responsibility.

At 70 mph, a vehicle covers the distance of a football field in three seconds. That requires a driver’s full attention.

After all, saving time only matters if you arrive safely.