Some lawmakers say that 65 mph is too slow for certain New York State highways and are sponsoring a bill to raise the speed limit to 70 mph.
New York State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, a Democrat covering the Schenectady area, announced yesterday that he introduced the bill to allow the Thruway Authority and the Department of Transportation to increase the speed limit on state highways that meet department criteria. New York State raised the speed limit from 55 mph to 65 mph back in 1995.
“My bill will bring New York in line with the vast majority of other states that already have speed limits of 70 miles per hour or higher,” Santabarbara gushed. “The fact is technology has changed and more people are comfortable driving at a higher speed on the highway.”
Republican Senators Bill Weber from Rockland County and Thomas O’Mara from the Elmira area are co-sponsoring Santabarbara’s bill.
An anonymous person raged to the New York State Senate on their website, “70 MPH is absolutely insane!!!!!!!!! They’ll probably go 80 while driving, which is totally uncomfortable!”
Resident Michael Miller responded, “Yeah, and?” Miller claimed the Thruway can “safely handle 80-90 mph” traffic.
