The Virginia House of Delegates voted 76-22 to pass a measure to raise the speed limit on some highways from 65 to 70.  Approval is still needed from Governor McDonnell, but there doesn’t seem to be any talk that he will veto the legislation.

I can’t say I will be disappointed that the speed limit is going up in some areas.  My grandma lives in North Carolina, so I have made the trip down 95 and 77 where I get kind of exicted when the speed limit jumps to 70.  Personally, my speedometer stays between 8-12 over on the highways, depending on the time of day, how traffic is, and how much of a rush I’m in, so these speed changes are helpful when I’m in a hurry.

Since the speed will be changed along some highways in rural areas, I don’t think it will be a big deal.  Maybe a few more accidents during holiday travel. Also, some people may speed up to the new speed while others will still poke along or fly past you.  But I am curious as to how many locals will notice the changes and follow them.

I regularly drive down 460 in Montgomery County between Tech and 81.  I remember coming back during the summer of 2008 and noticing the speed limit had gone up from 55 to 65, except for a short area near campus.  However, half the people who drive on the road STILL don’t seem to have noticed.  I regularly go flying past multiple cars, feeling like I should slow down when I’m actually only doing the speed limit.  When it gets dark, I end up not doing the speed limit just because everyone else has slowed down so much.

People don’t pay attention when they are driving half the time, especially when they have a rhythm.  I know I’m guilty of zoning out and wondering how I got places so quickly.  I think people have driven along that road so many times that they just don’t pay attention to the new signs or don’t notice them.  It wouldn’t surprise me if the same thing happened when/if the new changes are implemented.

The legislation still has to pass, but I will be curious to see how many people actually change their speed in those areas.