Texans are one step closer to being able to drive 85 MPH legally on certain stretches of road, with the state's department of transportation announcing this week that they're testing out sections of a toll road between Austin and San Antonio to determine if it can handle the speeds. Yeehaw!


The Lone Star State already ties with Utah when it comes to liberal speed limits, allowing 80 MPH on certain parts of I-20 and I-10 in the empty, straight and rural parts of the state. Highway 130, which runs awfully close to the new Formula One track, is currently under construction and thus eligible under a new law for the highest speed limit in the Western Hemisphere.

As written, only new stretches of road built to the highest design parameters are eligible for such a high speed limit. This mostly means toll roads in Texas.


Why would any state push for such a high speed limit, other than it being awesome? The toll road is being built by Spanish company Cintra, who has a well-documented relationship with Texas Governor Rick Perry. So there's that.

Not like anyone needs a reason not to drive on the parallel but awful I-35.

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