If you are planning a trip to Florida this winter to warm your snow-weary bones, you might notice a change on the roadways. That state is considering a five-mile-per-hour speed limit increase on most highways.
If it passes, interstate limits will go from 75 to 80 mph, other four-lane highways will increase to 70 mph and the limit on all other state roads will increase to 65 mph.
The reason for the proposed increase, its sponsors say, is to improve traffic flow and safety. I question the safety part. Every time I got behind the wheel as a kid I was told, “Slow down, speed kills.” Maybe the bill’s sponsors are thinking that if someone drives faster, he will be able to outrun an accident that might otherwise occur at a slower speed. Sort of the way we used to run as fast as we could when caught in a rainstorm to keep from getting wet.
Skepticism aside, the proposal was based on “research and science,” they say. The research apparently was a study disclosing that people ignore speed limits. Anyone could have carried out that study simply by driving the speed limit and discovering he was the slowest car on the road.
The science has something to do with diverse speeds and road rage. The scientists didn’t elaborate and apparently no one asked.
The whole idea is silly. Ignoring speed limits is a national pastime. They generally aren’t strictly enforced, and besides, American drivers are still celebrating the repeal of President Nixon’s 55 mph speed limit. Everyone hated that.
If you find yourself on Florida highways this winter and are content to drive the new speed limits, don’t be surprised if you are still the slowest car on the road.