55-MPH Speed Limit Day 2025 is on Thursday, January 2, 2025: MPH Speed Limit Day - LOWERING THE MAX SPEED LIMIT TO 55 MPH??

Thursday, January 2, 2025 is 55-MPH Speed Limit Day 2025.

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I say yes for two reasons:

Safety. The population of the US increases every day, which in turn means more cars on the road.

Fuel Economy. You can google 55mph vs. 65mph fuel mileage and you'll probably have 5 legitimate hits on how much fuel this country would save if we all drove 10 miles slower on the highway. And at current fuel costs, and knowing that these fossil fuels aren't going to last forever at the rate that we are using them, it makes sense to me.

What is different about speed limit 75, 80, and 85 roads?

Speed limits are based upon the 85 percentile speed of existing traffic. Roughly, if 85% of the traffic travels at 85 mph and there are few or no accidents, then that's the posted speed limit. But other factors will modify that speed limit based upon the traffic engineer and studies. Road conditions (type of pavement, lane width, road side hazards and conditions), accident rates, prevailing weather conditions, type of traffic, traffic volume and a host of other factors. We have to understand that you can't mix 55 mph traffic with 85 mph traffic. It's not like a NASCAR track where drivers and their cars have to meet a minimum safety and performance standard. On normal roadways, you only have to see (but not very well), think (but not very well) and drive (but not very well). Just because one driver can drive 85 mph on a narrow, winding, two lane mountain road doesn't mean everyone else can or should because drivers and their cars are very different from each other.

Here's another thing to consider. If you come up behind a vehicle (you're doing 90, they're doing 65), that's a speed difference of 35 mph. It may seem slow, but that difference takes away your reaction time and the other driver's reaction time to any hazard including an unscheduled or unannounced (signaled) lane change. And if that driver is a semi driver who's changing lanes to get around a slower driver, you'll have a very close look at their license plate. At 80 mph, you are traveling at 120 feet per second. You have to think ahead of your car more than 600 ft in order to react and avoid a hazard. Most people can't see details that far. You'd also need racing tires (or nearly rated for racing). Lose a tire at that speed and you're in for the ride of your life.

What are the maximum penalties for speeding 80 mph on a 50 - 55 mph speed limit in Chicago?

Actually anything over 15 over the limit is a misdemeanor. You don;t go to regular traffic court but the a "major room". This is also where the ones who got DUI's and reckless homicide cases go.

The difference between 50 and 55 is also great.

If the limit was 50 you now step up another notch.

15 to 30 over up to 90 days in Cook County Jail and up to $500, fine.

30 to 45 over up to 1 year Cook County Jail and up to $1000. fine

Yes on your permanent driving record just like all tickets you are convicted on.

The Secretary of State can suspend your license because of your age for the 30 over.

Enjoy the speed, while you can. I know at your age you are invincible but I have seen a large number die on the Ryan caused by speeding.