CT lawmaker wants speed limit increase

ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP) - If you're someone who drives with a lead foot, you may soon be a little more comfortable on Connecticut highways. One lawmaker wants to increase the speed limit to 75 miles per hour.

Hartford State Representative Minnie Gonzalez wants to pick up the pace on the state's highways, but her plan would also include a 15% increase in your cost if you get a speeding ticket.

Connecticut was actually the last state in the country to raise the highway speed limit from 55 to 65; something that some drivers like Joe Gallagher of Windsor Locks say is quite enough.

“It's a bit fast. 65 is fast too, but 75 seems outrageous. 65 is enough for me,” Gallagher said.

Other Connecticut drivers told 22News that the region is too congested for everyone to be going that fast.

“I think it's kind of dangerous, especially with people using cell phones and texting,” said Nik Olajstadnik of Enfield.

Drivers already feel plenty of pain at the pump, and driving faster will only cost you more.

According to FuelEconomy.gov , every five miles per hour you drive over a speed limit of 50 is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon at the pump.

Gonzalez said that found statistics showing the number of accidents decrease with a higher speed limit. But even if there are fewer accidents, some fear the crashes that did occur would be more severe.

“I commute an hour a day and at least once a day I see a fender bender on the highway,” said Bart Guistina of Enfield.

And if people already push the limit at 65, what speeds would the new limit bring?

“I drive pretty far back and forth everyday, but still, having the speed limit at 75 probably means people would be doing 90,” said John Segretta of Bristol.