Speed Up or Slow Down? NYS Senate Sees New Speed Limit Proposal

The speed limit has always been a hot button issue, and it's understandable considering 115 million Americans use a car or truck to get to and from work every day (Adie Tomer, The Avenue). If I had a nickel for every time some jerk in a pickup truck whizzed by me on the highway going 90+ mph, I'd be able to put a down payment on a new car. That being said, it's no secret that many people wish the speed limit was higher on certain roads like highways and thruways. Turns out, those people might be getting their wish, but with a catch.

According to Hailie Higgins at news10.com, New York Senator Thomas O'Mara recently proposed a bill that would increase the speed limit of certain highways from 65 mph to 70 mph. This proposal, Bill S2209, would only apply to highways that meet a specific set of criteria set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT). If the bill gets passed, the new maximum speed limit would be effective immediately, and the DOT would start changing road signs (remind me to take a different route to work that day!). While the bill's 5 mph difference isn't a drastic change, there is another bill related to driving that might make you pump the brakes.

If you missed Karolyi's update, Bill S9528 would make it mandatory for all cars manufactured after the year 2024 in New York to be equipped with advanced technology. If this bill is approved, the technology would monitor a car's location and adjust the speed according to that road's speed limit, physically stopping you from speeding (Hailie Higgins, news10.com).

Both bills have many steps to go through before receiving final approval. For now, the speed limit is still capped at 65 mph, and you speed demons don't need to worry about your car forcing you to abide by traffic laws... Yet.