Speed Limits Rise Closer To Reality Next Month, Washington Drivers Can Go 70, Guilt-Free

Washington’s freeway speed limit will rise to 70 mph on 542 miles of interstate highway next month, state officials announced Wednesday.

And the current lowest speed limit, 55, will go to 60 on 190 miles of freeway and even to 70 on selected short stretches totaling 28 miles statewide. The limit will be increased on other highways later in the year.

The higher speed limit probably will do little more than legitimize what motorists already are doing, Transportation Secretary Sid Morrison said. No additional collisions or traffic fatalities should result, said state traffic safety Director John Moffat.

Morrison said the public will have until March 1 to comment on the plan. A final decision will be made a week later and new freeway speed signs will go up by mid-March.

Motorists welcomed the news.

“Who does the speed limit anyways?” said Kathy Wood, a Woodinville woman interviewed at a rest stop on Interstate 82 near Yakima. “Around here, I don’t see any problem with going 80 mph. I think it should be lower in residential areas.”

Chris McCall, also Woodinville, agreed, but cautioned: “I don’t think I’d do a Montana and let everyone go as fast as they want. I think 75 would be a good speed limit.”

Adolph Weidanz, Seattle, interviewed at a rainswept I-5 rest area at Maytown, south of Olympia, said 55 is too slow for the freeways, but that he probably won’t go faster than 65.

“During rush hour it doesn’t make a difference, you’re going to do 20,” he said.

“There isn’t a person on this road who’s driving the speed limit,” said Julia Robertson of Bremerton. “I think it won’t be a problem.”

Charles Wade, a trucker from Marysville, said: “Everyone says it’s going to kill more people, well there’s a possibility of that, but if they just drive defensively it’ll be fine. Fifty-five is too slow, you get too bored, too sleepy.”

Not all motorists said they welcome traffic whizzing along at 70 or higher.

Tom LaPointe, a Colorado man who travels frequently on business, said 65 is plenty fast.

“I remember the days of 70 and 75. I remember seeing a lot more accidents,” he said.