Need for Speed

Somewhere, Sammy “I Can’t Drive 55” Hagar is smiling. Illinois just became the 37th state to allow speed limits of 70 m.p.h. or more, and bills in Wisconsin, New Jersey and Michigan could push limits to 70, 75 and 80 m.p.h., respectively. There’s a good reason: studies show that collisions are less likely on highways where velocity is limited to the speed that 85% of drivers normally don’t exceed. That way, cars travel at roughly the same pace. “On a big highway, if you’re following the law and going 65 m.p.h., you’re likely to get run over,” says Illinois state senator Jim Oberweis, who sponsored his state’s new law. Critics say higher limits are dangerous, but data indicates otherwise. Ohio Turnpike fatalities are down since the limit rose to 70 m.p.h. in 2011, while average speeds in Utah are up just 1 m.p.h. since the state welcomed its first 80-m.p.h. roads in 2008.