Connecticut Lawmaker: Drivers Don't Obey 65 MPH Speed Limit, So Raise It

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Connecticut lawmaker has proposed raising the statewide maximum speed limit to 75 mph.

State Rep. Minnie Gonzalez (D-Hartford) proposed the legislation Monday, saying the current speed limit of 65 mph is "a joke" and is being ignored.

She told members of the Connecticut General Assembly Transportation Committee that statistics she has found show the number of accidents decrease with the higher speed limit.

But some committee members raised safety concerns, and said those statistics might apply to larger, less populated states such as North Dakota.

In 1998, Connecticut became the last state in the continental U.S. to increase the maximum speed limit from 55 mph to 65 mph.

Gonzalez also proposed increase fines for speeding violations by 15 percent.

Would you support raising the maximum speed limit? Please leave your comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)