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“I Can’t Drive 55” (Highways to Hedonism)

“I Can’t Drive 55” (Highways to Hedonism). US 68 – Speed Limits. Request by Logan Economic Alliance for Development in February 2011 Request for speed limits “higher” than 55 MPH Approval of Warren, Logan, Todd, Christian, and Trigg County Judge-Executives. Reasoning?.

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“I Can’t Drive 55” (Highways to Hedonism)

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  1. “I Can’t Drive 55” (Highways to Hedonism)

  2. US 68 – Speed Limits • Request by Logan Economic Alliance for Development in February 2011 • Request for speed limits “higher” than 55 MPH • Approval of Warren, Logan, Todd, Christian, and Trigg County Judge-Executives

  3. Reasoning? • Need to reflect high quality and design of corridor • “Lumped” with other lesser roads in 55 MPH category • Favorably impact mapping calculations (currently 79 to Clarksville) • Increase economic activity • Need to identify corridor as connector from I-65 to I-24

  4. Cabinet’s Response? • Division agreed with development group • KTC Research (1997) • Suggested 60 MPH was reasonable speed limit for rural, four-lane roadways • Differential speed limit for trucks and vehicles • Posted speed limit has nothing to do with design speed • Normally such roadways are relatively safe

  5. Not So Fast… (excuse the pun) • KRS 189.390: (5) (b) The alteration of speed limits on state highways within a city or a county shall not be effective until the alteration has been approved by the secretary of transportation. The secretary shall not approve any alteration that could increase any speed limit established by subsection (3)(b) or (c) of this section in excess of fifty-five (55) miles per hour.

  6. 2012 Legislative Session • HB 333 – 60 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Trigg/Christian County line • HB 376 – 60 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Marshall/Trigg County line • SB 181 – 65 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Trigg/Marshall County line

  7. Division’s Comments • Legislation should establish maximum speed limit as opposed to posted speed limit • Should be modified to apply to all rural, multi-lane roadways

  8. Speed Limit Law • KRS 189.390: (5) (a) A city or a county may by ordinance establish speed limits within its own jurisdiction, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection. (b) The alteration of speed limits on state highways within a city or a county shall not be effective until the alteration has been approved by the secretary of transportation. The secretary shall not approve any alteration that could increase any speed limit established by subsection (3)(b) or (c) of this section in excess of fifty-five (55) miles per hour.

  9. Engineering Study • Approximately 59 total miles through 5 counties • Design Speed – mostly 60 MPH • 85th Percentile Speeds: • District 1 – 61 to 62.5 MPH • District 2 – 61.3 to 65.5 MPH • District 3 – 64 to 70 MPH • Crash Data/Critical CRF’s (one-mile segments) • Trigg County (intersection of KY 181), CRF=1.08 • Logan/Warren County line, CRF=1.21

  10. Political Comments • “We live in God’s country out here, and the faster people can get here, the better for them.” • “This will be good for attracting visitors as well as for economic development…I hope other communities with a slower speed limit will maintain those for the safety of the public.”

  11. Topix Comments • “This is the dumbest thing the state has done in a long time!” (Dumb) • “Best idea in a long time. There won’t be any problems as long as people quit acting like stop signs don’t exist. Might as well make it 75 that way you don’t have a chance to just limp away.” (hell2dano) • “The speed limit has been 65 for a long time, the only people that didn’t recognize that was the government.” (Super NuckingFuts) • “Brashears sucks.” (Man up) • “Kentucky has lost it, The people that running this state are soooooo DUMB!” (speeding) • “It Was nice going 70 on that road it gets you where you need to go so much quicker.” (so right)

  12. Elves’ Comments • “Increasing the speed limit is just going to allow people to leave Logan County more quickly to spend their money in Bowling Green instead of our friendly neighborhood small businesses like Walmart.” (Elves) • “Married men will now be tempted to go to strip clubs like Overtime and Tattle Tales in Bowling Green knowing that they can speed back before the rest of the family gets back from Wednesday night church service.” (Elves) • “Elves comments may be the dumbest (blank) thing I’ve ever heard. First overtime is far from a strip club and nobody is speeding to get to tattle tales.” (smarter than you) • “Every time you pass a speed limit sign now, you’ll see the number 6, which is the number of Satan!” (Elves) • “But that’s no problem, because all these (blank) liberals will just raise our taxes to pay for this highway to hedonism!” (Elves)

  13. What Does This Mean? • Cabinet is not interesting in widespread posting of 65 MPH speed limits • US 68 will be the rare case • Significant support of local officials • More than just moving traffic

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