According to a recent article in the AJC, the speed limit on a few highways leading in and out of metro Atlanta will increase this month. Speed limits will increase to 70 miles per hour on portions of I-85 and I-20, and parts of I-75 will increase to 65 miles per hour.
As of now, the portion of I-75 that runs through Henry County near Stockbridge will not be affected - the faster speeds on I-75 will be legal closer to the Atlanta city limits. However, it is a concern that commuters headed out of Atlanta will not slow down after they pass through the legal increased speed zone. And issues such as distracted driving are even more dangerous at higher rates speeds.
A spokesperson from the National Safety Council told the AJC that the higher speed limits will result in more accidents with more serious injuries and more fatalities because faster speeds mean less time to react and a higher velocity at impact.
A spokesperson from the Insurance Institute for Highways Safety also expressed a concern to the AJC that tentative drivers – such as new drivers, older driver and others who are not confident with highway driving skills – will feel pressured to keep up with faster traffic.
One the other hand, a representative from the Georgia DOT stated that the faster speed limit reflects the actual speed commuters travel, and the reality of fast cars on our highways will not change as a result of the speed limit increases.
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