New York Wiki

I can't drive 65 on LIE ?

Update: 2004 April 27: 65 is the las now.

Speed Limit May Rise on LIE, Other Roads

By John Valenti, STAFF WRITER

2003 September 15

You are still not able to drive 65 mph on the Long Island Expressway. Not legally,
anyway.

But that may change. Gov. George Pataki signed into law last week legislation
that allows the state Department of Transportation to decide which stretches of
highway should have a 55-mph speed limit - and which should be 65 mph.

The law, sponsored by state Sen. Caesar Trunzo (R-Brentwood), also makes
65-mph zones around the state permanent. Those zones were scheduled to
expire Dec. 1, 2005.

"What this means is that the state Department of Transportation now has the
authority to increase the speed limit on state roads without having to go for
legislation," said Trunzo, former chairman of the state Transportation Committee.

"That doesn't mean the department will raise the speed limit here on Long Island.
But it means it could."

Proponents of a 65-mph speed limit note that, while the number of fatal accidents
fell dramatically after the maximum national speed limit went from 65 mph to 55
mph in 1974, the number of fatalities continued to decline even after the national
55-mph law was eliminated in the National Highway System Designation Act of
1995.

The speed limit on Interstates 81 and 87 - both north of New York City - was
increased to 65 mph in August 1995. In 1997, a study by the New York State
Thruway Authority found the Thruway had recorded its lowest death rate in 44
years. Almost five years after the maximum limits were increased, the number
of accidents per 100 million miles traveled decreased 4 percent on 65-mph
highways in the state. The fatal accident rate had decreased 29 percent, the
injury accident rate by about 5 percent.

A recent poll conducted by the AAA Automobile Club of New York found 90
percent of its members supported an increase from 55 mph to 65 mph.

The Department of Transportation said speed-limit changes on Long Island would
be made only after a review of traffic volume; the road's design, width and
condition; land use; and whether the area is urban, suburban or rural. Police said
officers will enforce the speed limit set by the DOT.

"Some have said if we make the speed limit 65 mph here, people will do 90,"
Trunzo said. "But we've found most people drive around 65 - and all this does is
allow that to be determined by the DOT."

Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lispee133455563sep15,0,4431201.story?coll=ny-linews-utility

Posted by dc at September 14, 2003 11:47 PM