With residences in two states – Arizona and Minnesota – and driving between the two twice a year – we are exposed to differences in traffic laws, particularly speed limits. On the Interstate Highway system most states have a posted limit of 75 MPH and in some cases 80 MPH. Minnesota however, clings to 70 MPH. Minnesota just announced that a study is to begin on some 6,800 miles of non-interstate highways to see if the speed limit can be raised all the way from 55 MPH to 60 MPH. Here again most other states have progressed past that and one finds speed limits of  60 MPH to 65 MPH.

Now this begs a couple of questions. One are Minnesota drivers that much worse than those in the other states that they cannot be trusted with more realistic speed limits? Second, why is Minnesota spending precious resources studying a very modest speed limit increase when that data is very likely available from many other states? Already the “We Must Control Everything” crowd is sounding the alarm – if the speed limit is raised people will just drive that much faster – meaning, I suspect, that they will maintain a certain amount over the posted limit. First, I find it more than a little sanctimonious and demeaning that this group would paint the entire population of Minnesota with this broad brush, And second, no doubt some will but my sense is that crowd is already driving at their personal speed limit and that will not change if the posted limit is increased.

I suppose that this is just another example of Minnesota attempting to “Take Care” of us and not trusting that we are now grown up and probably can take care of ourselves but wouldn’t it be nice if they let us try!