Pennsylvania testing 70 miles-per-hour speed limit on Turnpike

Changes to the speed limit are coming to major roadways in Pennsylvania, and this could potentially result in more car accidents in the region.

Officials have examined many different ways that they can improve motorist safety on Pennsylvania roadways. They might decide to make improvements, such as the installation of traffic controls, in intersections where crashes are common. They could add more lanes to certain highways where traffic is increasing, or make other changes that reduce the potential risk of accidents occurring.

Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced a pilot program to test higher speed limits on major roadways. The first area of focus will run through a 97-mile part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The stretch of highway that runs from Blue Mountain to Morgantown will see speed limits increased from 65 miles-per-hour to 70, for six to eight months, to determine the impact on motorist safety. If the changes do not result in more motor vehicle accidents, higher speed limits could be rolled out across the entire turnpike sometime next year.

Officials are planning to test the higher speed limits in other locations as well, including modifications to certain portions of Interstates 80 and 380 in the coming months. These changes are a result of a transportation bill passed last year by the legislature and subsequently approved by Governor Tom Corbett.

There is some concern that the 5 miles-per-hour increase could entice drivers to travel even faster than the posted speed limits in these areas. Law enforcement has stated that it will be aggressively patrolling these locations for those traveling at higher rates of speed. If the pilot locations experience an increase in accidents, it is possible that the previous speed limits may be re-established.

When Ohio raised its speed limits to 70, its roadways did experience more accidents after the changes were implemented, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol. The agency reported a ten percent increase in the two years after the higher limits were posted.

While the impact of these changes is being examined, you need to take immediate action if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident that has been caused by another driver’s negligence. You should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to learn more about your possible claims.

Your attorney will be able to review your accident, and help you determine how you wish to proceed. You will have an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have, which can be especially important when you start to receive settlement offers from the other parties involved. These offers might seem like your best option, but you need to be sure that you clearly understand the value of your claims as well as the terms being imposed by the settlement.

Keywords: car accident, personal injury