FAYETTE CO. JUDGE WANTS LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON U.S. 77
The Fayette County Judge is requesting the state lower the speed limit on U.S. Highway 77.
Judge Joe Weber told county commissioners last week that he’d speak with the state about lowering the limit, and concerns that local officials should have more control over roads that run through their jurisdiction.
Weber made his comments following a report to commissioners that Highway 77 fatalities in Fayette and Lee counties are on pace to double over last year’s numbers.
Weber, the former Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation, says trying to get the speed limit lowered anywhere in the state is a “science project.”
He went on to say, the speed limit should be between the county and DPS.
Weber asked why it takes, “someone to die—to become a statistic—to lower the speed limit?”
This has nothing to do with safety, and everything to do with creating speed traps. TxDOT has used scientific methods to determine the safest speed. Drivers naturally drive those speeds. By artificially lowering it, drivers inadvertently will speed, creating local revenue.
This, by the way, is why the State Leg took setting speed limits on these types of roads AWAY from local control, and to TxDOT.
Say it louder for the people in the back, Rusty!
Higher speed limits get you increased fuel consumption, more violent accidents, higher medical cost, higher insurance rates, more law suits, all supported by the state legislature .
Speed limit signs won’t matter much if they’re not enforced!!!!!