"Texas speed bill advances; increases split-speed differential in some areasThe Texas Senate has advanced a measure that would raise the daytime speed limit for personal vehicles on certain stretches of highways in the state to 80 mph. Commercial vehicles would continue to drive at the current 65 mph limit posted for trucks.

Senators unanimously approved the bill May 25. HB2257, which previously passed the House, now heads to Gov. Rick Perry.

Sponsored by Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, the bill would allow the Texas Transportation Commission to increase the daytime speed limit for cars from 75 mph to 80 mph on Interstates 10 and 20 in sparsely populated areas of Crockett, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kerr, Kimble, Pecos, Reeves, Sutton and Ward counties.

Nighttime speeds for all vehicles would remain at 65 mph.

The bill’s analysis gives this reasoning for the change: “The vast size of Texas requires many Texans to spend many hours on the road. Road travel is especially challenging and time consuming for rural Texans who live in sparsely populated areas of the state.”

Todd Spencer, executive vice president for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said lawmakers and the governor are missing a greater opportunity to do away with split speeds in the state."


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