Motorists Adjusting To State's New 70 MPH Zones
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Motorists in Pennsylvania are adjusting after the decision was made to increase the speed limit on hundreds of miles of roads.
Today, drivers saw 70 mph speed limit signs being installed along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While the difference is only 5 mph along certain roads, some drivers said it's about time they raised the speed limit.
In 2014, PennDOT and Turnpike officials got clearance to go 70 mph. They initially tested it on about 200 miles of state roads.
Now, that's expanding to cover about 1,000 miles.
"I think people have been going that fast anyway," Terra Krincek said.
Interstate 79 from Cranberry to Erie and from the Interstate 70 interchange to the West Virginia border will now see 70 mph signs.
About 90 percent of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is also making the switch.
So is Interstate 80 from the Ohio line to Clinton County.
Not all major highways will see the change. The parkways feeding into and out of Pittsburgh will stay the same, along with Interstate 70.
"Especially between New Stanton and Washington and that area, we all know how tight that is and it's not conducive to doing more than 55 or 60 miles an hour," PennDOT's Joseph Szczur said.
"I would agree with that. I travel [I-70] occasionally and it does seem to be a very dangerous road to travel," Dave King said.
Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards. joined the "KDKA Morning News" with Larry Richert and John Shumway and she says don't expect the 55 mph speed limit on the parkways and parts of the Turnpike to increase to 65 anytime soon.
"This was a pure look at the 70 mph increase and in fact, there are many curves that will stay at 55 and we will be highlighting those areas as well," said Richards.
With the change taking place Monday and Tuesday, drivers are weighing in. Some feel the need for speed, while others do not.
"Our turnpike is 70 mph, so it was actually quite annoying every time I went to [New Jersey] and it was always like 65. It just encouraged you to want to speed," Bobbie Marple, of Ohio, said.
"I don't know why people feel the need to ride 70 mph. Because when it's 70 out there, it's really 80. I mean that's what they drive," Skip Fischer said.
State police say they will be strictly enforcing the new speed limit.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
