By Anthony Man | [email protected] | South Florida Sun Sentinel

Legislative proposals to increase speed limits on Florida interstate and other highways are cruising to passage. If the speed limits are increased, even by the proposed 5 mph, research shows more accidents could follow.

So far, the proposal hasn’t hit any speed bumps in the Florida House and Senate, where it’s been approved with Republican and Democratic support by five of the six committees where the idea has been considered.

It’s one of multiple driving related ideas introduced in the annual legislative session in Tallahassee. With just a few weeks left until the scheduled May 2 session end, it has advanced farther than several others, and is among those most likely to get to the governor’s desk.

The speed limit legislation (Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 567) would increase the maximum speed on interstates and Florida’s Turnpike from 70 mph to 75 mph.

The bills also would require the Department of Transportation to increase the maximum speed on four-lane divided highways in rural areas from 65 mph to 70 mph. Other roads with 60 mph speed limits could be raised to 65 mph where deemed “safe and advisable.”

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