To answer this question, it’s best to start by
looking at what the actual speed limits in Kansas are. Check out the map below.
All four-lane highways or dual-carriageways in
Kansas are 70 mph and above. Our
interstate routes (shown in red on the map) are 75 mph and above. These routes have no cross traffic, which is
why they are at the higher speed.
The majority of the two-lane highways in the state
have 65 mph speed limits (shown in dark blue on map). As you can see, there are some highways that
have speed limits of 60 mph or below. The
reason for these lower speed limits can be attributed to a number factor such
as a heavy traffic, roadway geometrics or high crash rates.
This
wasn’t always the case. In 1973 Congress enacted the National Speed Limit
in an effort to conserve gasoline and it was set at 55 mph. In the 1980s it was
increased to 65 mph on some roads, then in 1995 the law was repealed and each
state was then allowed to choose their own speed limit.
Until 2011, the speed
limit on all major freeways was 70 mph in Kansas. When the Kansas Legislature passed the new
maximum speed limit of for separated, multi-lane highways, KDOT then made the
choice of which highways would be increased to 75 mph. All of the routes that
were chosen for the increased speed limits are freeways and have controlled
access to and interchanges. Other factors that were considered for choosing
those particular highways were whether the road was in a rural or urban area,
the amount of traffic and the speed limit in the surrounding states. (Our
neighbor to the west Colorado’s speed limit on I-70 is 75 mph, while our
eastern neighbor Missouri is 70 mph.) Basically, at least in Kansas, the more
populated the area, the lower the speed limit.
Below is map of the current maximum speed limit in each U.S.
state. As you can see a good portion of
the country is at the same limit or higher than the United Kingdom, it just
depends on where you are at while traveling in the U.S.
If you have any more
questions about speed limits or another transportation-related issue, feel free
to pose it in the comment box below or ask us on twitter @KDOTHQ.
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ReplyDeleteTwo other states are joining the 80 mph limit club July 1, Idaho & Wyoming.......Hopefully the rest of the western states will soon follow suite!!
ReplyDeleteIllinois has a posted limit of 70 today on it's freeways as of Jan 1, 2014,,,......
ReplyDeletePennsylvania in the coming weeks will be posting a 70 mph limit on it's rural freeways where their DOT deems it to be safe.........
Starting next week Maine will announcing where it will be more widely posting it's recently passed blanket rural freeway 75 mph limit...........
Missouri has a rural 75 mph freeway limit bill under consideration in the 2014 legislative session......
Oklahoma has a 80 mph rural freeway limit bill under consideration in the 2014 legislative session........