State prepares to increase speed to 75 mph on parts of I-95

Cars on Interstate 95 zoom past a speed limit sign just north of Old Town. The speed limit on the stretch of road North of Old Town will soon be raised to 75 mph.
Cars on Interstate 95 zoom past a speed limit sign just north of Old Town. The speed limit on the stretch of road North of Old Town will soon be raised to 75 mph.
Posted Sept. 27, 2011, at 10:54 a.m.
Last modified Sept. 27, 2011, at 11:12 p.m.
Print this   E-mail this    Facebook this   Tweet this     

AUGUSTA, Maine — Motorists driving along Interstate 95 between Old Town and Houlton will see more than just trees next week, as the Maine Department of Transportation posts new signs to signify a 10 mph increase in the speed limit.

Mark Latti, spokesman for the MDOT, said Monday evening that the old signs with the 65 mph limit will be taken down and replaced so that motorists know that they can now go 75 mph on that stretch.

“We have to notify agencies such as the Maine Department of Public Safety, put up the signs and officially record the change in the law,” said Latti. “I can’t give you a specific date as to when all that will happen, but it will be next week. Once motorists see the signs, they can use the new speed limit.”

The decision came after Rep. Alexander Willette, R-Mapleton, sponsored a bill to allow the state’s transportation commissioner to bump up the speed limit on Maine’s northernmost stretch of the interstate. It also gave DOT Commissioner David Bernhardt the discretion to keep the 65 mph limit on stretches of the highway where higher speeds could pose a danger, such as near the relatively few exits or in areas with high rates of vehicle-animal collisions.

Latti said that the entire stretch likely will be posted at 75 mph.

Willette and bill supporters said the change merely reflects the reality that many drivers already exceed 65 mph on the roughly 100-mile stretch of I-95 north of Old Town. Rep. Charles Kenneth Theriault, D-Madawaska, said allowing drivers to legally cruise at 75 mph would also help businesses move goods faster and tourists reach their destinations more quickly.

A 1999 Maine Department of Transportation study showed that most drivers already were driving up to 75 mph between Old Town and Houlton. The MDOT supported the change and testified that the department could absorb the loss of revenues from fewer speeding tickets.

Under federal law, states are given considerable discretion to set speed limits on interstate highways, although that was not always the case. Between 1959 and 1973, the maximum speed on I-95 was 70 mph. In 1974, speed limits were lowered nationwide to 55 mph in response to the 1973 oil crisis. Congress lifted the federal speed limit controls in 1995.

Similar articles:

Marketplace News

Marketplace

Guidelines for posting on bangordailynews.com

The Bangor Daily News encourages comments about stories, but you must follow our terms of service.

In brief:

  1. Keep it civil and stay on topic
  2. No vulgarity, racial slurs, name-calling or personal attacks.
  3. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.

The primary rule here is pretty simple: Treat others with the same respect you'd want for yourself. Here are some guidelines (see more):

  • Anonymous

    HAMMER DOWN WILMA!!!!!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_H42QFRNGIVG36JTIS536PFBLS4 Brian

    I thinks its a good idea in general but, folks really should use common sense also. Especially during inclement weather. Quite frankly, I found it rare to come across a person doing the limit.

  • Buzlno

    ‘Bout time.  That is one boring godawful stretch of road.

  • Anonymous

         Perhaps our “lawmakers” should follow similar “reasoning” when dealing with legalized marijuana?

    Willette and bill supporters said the change merely reflects the reality that many drivers already exceed 65 mph on the roughly 100-mile stretch of I-95 north of Old Town

  • Anonymous

    “…allowing drivers to legally cruise at 75 mph would also help businesses
    move goods faster and tourists reach their destinations more quickly.”    Assuming a trip of 100 miles at 75 mi/hr vs. 65 mi/hr, the time saved amounts to about 12 1/2 minutes.  Not much of a savings, especially when you consider the higher fuel consumption at that speed.

  • Anonymous

    Good deal…… Keep up the good work..

  • Anonymous

    I drive this stretch every day for work, most drive about 72 anyway.

  • Anonymous

    Great decision for more jobs… EMT’s, Fire Departments, Tow Trucks. In addition to junk yards of crashed vehicles.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_M3MP7BYLY5TWFLDQJP6BYZZT3A RobertB

    Willette said “Allowing drivers to legally cruise at 75 mph would also help businesses
    move goods faster and tourists reach their destinations more quickly!”  Not if they are they are in an accident and never get to their destination in one piece!
    “The change merely reflects the reality that many drivers already exceed
    65 mph on the roughly 100-mile stretch of I-95 north of Old Town.” Rep.
    Charles Kenneth Theriault, D-Madawaska. 
    So why are we coming down so hard on people texting while driving?  If they are going to do it anyways why not just let them do it!   If you jump it up 10 mph people are going to go another 8-10 mph over the posted limit.  So now you have motorists that were going 75mph in that area going 85 mph.  I wonder what a car-moose collision looks like at that speed!  Congratulations…here’s your sign!
    How about gas consumption in this country!  Everyone complains about it but lets just jump up speed limits everywhere so the oil industry giants can become more lucrative.  I say bump all the speed limits back down to 55 mph which is proven to reduce accidents and save gas.  Saving money and lives should be more important than getting to your destination 13.2 minutes faster.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_M3MP7BYLY5TWFLDQJP6BYZZT3A RobertB

    Willette said “Allowing drivers to legally cruise at 75 mph would also help businesses
    move goods faster and tourists reach their destinations more quickly!”  Not if they are they are in an accident and never get to their destination in one piece!
    “The change merely reflects the reality that many drivers already exceed
    65 mph on the roughly 100-mile stretch of I-95 north of Old Town.” Rep.
    Charles Kenneth Theriault, D-Madawaska. 
    So why are we coming down so hard on people texting while driving?  If they are going to do it anyways why not just let them do it!   If you jump it up 10 mph people are going to go another 8-10 mph over the posted limit.  So now you have motorists that were going 75mph in that area going 85 mph.  I wonder what a car-moose collision looks like at that speed!  Congratulations…here’s your sign!
    How about gas consumption in this country!  Everyone complains about it but lets just jump up speed limits everywhere so the oil industry giants can become more lucrative.  I say bump all the speed limits back down to 55 mph which is proven to reduce accidents and save gas.  Saving money and lives should be more important than getting to your destination 13.2 minutes faster.

  • Rgiff

    It might be alright if you make it to youre destination without a set of Moose Horns for a hood ornament.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    That means you can go 85-90 mph            ……just saying what drivers will be thinking

  • Anonymous

    Regulators beware, we finally have a government which is responsive to the peoples needs. Anyone who frequents this stretch of road knows its tediousness and any time savings is a godsend.

  • Anonymous

    Move over John, you’re in the way.

  • Anonymous

    I think this will mean more $$ for the Houlton Police Dept… After 100 miles @ 75mph, it’s gonna be even harder to keep it at 50-55mph heading north on Route 1.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZNWYFLS7XHSCOPUO6EMTT52PEI OCHO

    Great change.  If you want to continue to drive 65 and save gas, go ahead.  But if you want a little freedom to drive faster on this long stretch without getting a ticket, then you should be able to do that too.  I would gladly pay a few extra bucks in gas to get to places quicker.  It is not only a long stretch, but usually lightly traveled.
    If you hit a moose at 65 or 80 your car is still trashed. 

  • Anonymous

    I thought the freedom to know your own limitations and make a rational decision was more important in this country.  Silly me!  Maybe you just don’t want anyone passing you in your Prius.

  • Anonymous

    every once in a while the goobner or his band of merry pranksters has to have a somewhat useful idea.  like a thousand monkeys slamming away at the keyboards will eventually reproduce a King novel 

  • Anonymous

    Not a big deal for me. Twelve minutes isn’t a life or death decision.

  • Anonymous

    Rgiff, That was my first thought too!

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    A car-moose collision at 80ish is going to be… pretty much the same as a car-moose collision at 65.  It’s already not exactly a party at the Playboy Club.

    Anyway, we’re not talking about a significant fraction of lightspeed here, it’s another 10 miles per hour.  Lighten up, Francis.

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    Hey, man, 750 seconds is 750 seconds… and if you’re commuting, it’s 750 seconds per day, which works out to more than 54 hours per year if you work five days a week.  I’ll trade gas for that.  It’s why I bought the gas in the first place.

  • Anonymous

    First of all, there is no law saying that you have to drive 75 mph on that stretch if it worries you. Second of all, you would be just as dead at 65 as 75.
    A little common sense would be nice, especially by the truck drivers who won’t even slow down in snow storms, and cause white outs when they blast by. You can’t see in front and you can’t see behind when these “professional” drivers pass in some storms, and it’s a gamble whether to hit the brakes or not. Makes my day when I see them off the road.  

  • Anonymous

    First of all, there is no law saying that you have to drive 75 mph on that stretch if it worries you. Second of all, you would be just as dead at 65 as 75.
    A little common sense would be nice, especially by the truck drivers who won’t even slow down in snow storms, and cause white outs when they blast by. You can’t see in front and you can’t see behind when these “professional” drivers pass in some storms, and it’s a gamble whether to hit the brakes or not. Makes my day when I see them off the road.  

  • kennyh

    Right, those from Ma. will now drive 65, still in the passing lane.

  • kennyh

    Right, those from Ma. will now drive 65, still in the passing lane.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/RDE22DMOHZJYEKBRURMPAZ3PQQ Philster

    Someone will probably be killed in an accident within the first week and they  most likely will be doing  over 80 mph

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/RDE22DMOHZJYEKBRURMPAZ3PQQ Philster

    Someone will probably be killed in an accident within the first week and they  most likely will be doing  over 80 mph

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/RDE22DMOHZJYEKBRURMPAZ3PQQ Philster

    Someone will probably be killed in an accident within the first week and they  most likely will be doing  over 80 mph

  • Anonymous

    I have an “03 super duty with a v-10. At 25mph I get about 8mpg. At 45-55mph I get 14mpg. At 75-80mph I get 16mpg. I’m not looking for an argument, I’m just stating the facts about my trucks fuel consumption. I know all the gear heads say, after 55mph you start to loose fuel economy. It seems like my truck uses a certain amount of fuel per hour, regardless as to how fast it’s going.

  • Anonymous

    I have an “03 super duty with a v-10. At 25mph I get about 8mpg. At 45-55mph I get 14mpg. At 75-80mph I get 16mpg. I’m not looking for an argument, I’m just stating the facts about my trucks fuel consumption. I know all the gear heads say, after 55mph you start to loose fuel economy. It seems like my truck uses a certain amount of fuel per hour, regardless as to how fast it’s going.

  • Anonymous

    A little common sense???? In an automobile???? Are you from away?

  • Anonymous

    A little common sense???? In an automobile???? Are you from away?

  • Anonymous

    A little common sense???? In an automobile???? Are you from away?

  • Anonymous

    Just curious – what do you do with those 750 seconds?

  • Anonymous

    Just curious – what do you do with those 750 seconds?

  • Anonymous

    Just curious – what do you do with those 750 seconds?

  • Anonymous

    Been that fast on ALL interstate roadways in Florida for many years… it is far more productive, and contrary to popular belief,  it does not mean cars will be speeding at 85 or 90… 75 is a good pace for the majority of people on an open highway.  Good job MDOT.  

  • Anonymous

    Been that fast on ALL interstate roadways in Florida for many years… it is far more productive, and contrary to popular belief,  it does not mean cars will be speeding at 85 or 90… 75 is a good pace for the majority of people on an open highway.  Good job MDOT.  

  • Anonymous

    Been that fast on ALL interstate roadways in Florida for many years… it is far more productive, and contrary to popular belief,  it does not mean cars will be speeding at 85 or 90… 75 is a good pace for the majority of people on an open highway.  Good job MDOT.  

  • Anonymous

    I as well drive this stretch 5 days a week and have been for 7+ years. Those who are accustomed to this stretch will know when to drive 75 and when not to.  The remainder of this month along with October are typically times I tend to drive slower due to the darker mornings and the moose rut. Moose are very unpredictable, you see them in the strangest places doing just the opposite of what you would expect. There will plenty of times the increase in the speed limit will be nice but it’s important to note that it’s still a matter of driving to the conditions regardless of the posted limit.

  • Anonymous

    I as well drive this stretch 5 days a week and have been for 7+ years. Those who are accustomed to this stretch will know when to drive 75 and when not to.  The remainder of this month along with October are typically times I tend to drive slower due to the darker mornings and the moose rut. Moose are very unpredictable, you see them in the strangest places doing just the opposite of what you would expect. There will plenty of times the increase in the speed limit will be nice but it’s important to note that it’s still a matter of driving to the conditions regardless of the posted limit.

  • Anonymous

    I as well drive this stretch 5 days a week and have been for 7+ years. Those who are accustomed to this stretch will know when to drive 75 and when not to.  The remainder of this month along with October are typically times I tend to drive slower due to the darker mornings and the moose rut. Moose are very unpredictable, you see them in the strangest places doing just the opposite of what you would expect. There will plenty of times the increase in the speed limit will be nice but it’s important to note that it’s still a matter of driving to the conditions regardless of the posted limit.

  • Anonymous

    People from away may not understand about black ice, and moose, many people think if its the speed limit than it’s safe, and 75 will mean 85 to a lot of people.

  • Anonymous

    People from away may not understand about black ice, and moose, many people think if its the speed limit than it’s safe, and 75 will mean 85 to a lot of people.

  • Anonymous

    People from away may not understand about black ice, and moose, many people think if its the speed limit than it’s safe, and 75 will mean 85 to a lot of people.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    Excellent foregone conclusion!   Someone who favors the 75mph will be looking up at six feet of dirt soon.  It is like fireworks. The first week they are sold locally some poor kid will be in the news for blowing off his  finger or hand or worse.

    Reminds me of The old clique ‘Be careful what you wish for’

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    Excellent foregone conclusion!   Someone who favors the 75mph will be looking up at six feet of dirt soon.  It is like fireworks. The first week they are sold locally some poor kid will be in the news for blowing off his  finger or hand or worse.

    Reminds me of The old clique ‘Be careful what you wish for’

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    It may ne just as boring, but it will go by MUICH faster…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    People are already going 80-85 on this stretch of road, so as far as more accidents go…won’t happen.  There is VERY little traffic above Old Town as it is…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    get to your kids 750 seconds sooner….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    People are ready traveling that speed now….so your theory is somewhat flawed already

  • Anonymous

    Well-if they are going the speedlimit, and you are going the speedlimit, how would you have caught them in the first place?

  • Anonymous

    You’re obsessed with death and injury aren’t you?

    Legalize pot. PEOPLE WILL DIE!!!

    Legalize fireworks. PEOPLE WILL DIE!!!

    Increase speed limit. PEOPLE WILL DIE!!!

    Your shtick is getting old. Just because you like to live your life protected by goverment bubble wrap doesn’t mean everybody else needs protection from themselves.

  • Rgiff

    I travel that road at 65mph regardless, Im not worried about the 75mph Im just commenting that you increase youre odds of collecting a Set Of Moose Horns  for the ones you left behind. Now think about this, the speed limit is 75 mph. How many people on the road go exactly 75mph or 25mph? They always go 5 or 10mph over. Watch the accident rate.

  • Anonymous

    The road is probably safe at 85, but I’ll stick to 65 just to save gas.  After dark, even 65 is pretty scary.  The funny part of the article is ” The MDOT supported the change and testified that the department could absorb the loss of revenues from fewer speeding tickets.”  So, i guess that if the state needed more money it could post it at 35 mph, or even make it a school zone!    The day that State controls speed limits based upon the need to make money issuing speeding tickets (and raising insurance premiums btw), is the day we need to clean house in Augusta.

  • Anonymous

    The road is probably safe at 85, but I’ll stick to 65 just to save gas.  After dark, even 65 is pretty scary.  The funny part of the article is ” The MDOT supported the change and testified that the department could absorb the loss of revenues from fewer speeding tickets.”  So, i guess that if the state needed more money it could post it at 35 mph, or even make it a school zone!    The day that State controls speed limits based upon the need to make money issuing speeding tickets (and raising insurance premiums btw), is the day we need to clean house in Augusta.

  • Anonymous

    The road is probably safe at 85, but I’ll stick to 65 just to save gas.  After dark, even 65 is pretty scary.  The funny part of the article is ” The MDOT supported the change and testified that the department could absorb the loss of revenues from fewer speeding tickets.”  So, i guess that if the state needed more money it could post it at 35 mph, or even make it a school zone!    The day that State controls speed limits based upon the need to make money issuing speeding tickets (and raising insurance premiums btw), is the day we need to clean house in Augusta.

  • Anonymous

    Good thing about the speed limit is that you can always chose to drive slower.  Have at it.

  • Anonymous

    Good thing about the speed limit is that you can always chose to drive slower.  Have at it.

  • Anonymous

    I get the best fuel economy in my car @ 73-75mph, so I hear what you are saying and agree.  I’ve driven other cars like that too. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    see response to JAY C.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety
    Administration, Maine,per capita, consistently has the highest annual
    roadway fatality rate of ALL New England states for the past 10 years.

    The good news from above is over 80% of all Maine fatalities are on secondary roads, Maine’s highways have been quite safe. One of the safest in the country.

    Now the speed limits are highways going to be raised.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_M3MP7BYLY5TWFLDQJP6BYZZT3A RobertB

    If you hit a moose at 65 or 80 your car is still trashed.  However, 65 mph gives a driver more reaction time than 85 mph.  Your car may not be trashed at 65 mph…..

  • Anonymous

    Except now people will start going 85mph.

  • Anonymous

    Anywhere above Bangor it seems to be about 80  for most anyway. Everyone knows where the connecters are with a possible Smokey.

    Wound it up to a hunderd an’ ten,
    my speedometer said that I hit top end.

    My foot was glued like lead to the floor,
    that’s all there is an’ there ain’t no more.

    Now the boys all thought I’d lost my sense,
    them telephone poles looked like a picket fence.

    They said “slow down, I see spots,”
    the lines on the road just looked like dots

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    Maine’s highways Now Open for Death

  • Buzlno

    I used to drive that road at the posted 70mph when, from Bangor up, it was 2 lane road with 2 way traffic.   A few head ons from people trying to pass, but I don’t remember any moose hits….(of course I don’t remember yesterday either)

  • mrspeel2

    You’ve got that right!

  • Anonymous

    Some people need to stick to the side roads and leave the interstate for people that are actually going somewhere…..

  • Anonymous

    yea but I bet it makes the chocolate taste awful.

  • Anonymous

    not really, you could just as easily avoid a moose collision by already haven gone by where it decides to cross.

  • Anonymous

    my corvette is still idling at 65 and I get about 32mpg

  • Anonymous

    you can stick to the right lane as well then.

  • Anonymous

    Let the people who want to drive 75 do so legally.
    If you dont feel safe going that fast then don’t.
    Pretty simple to me.

  • Anonymous

    Just so long as they slow down to 65 at Old Town and 55 through Bangor, we can live with that.  They way they drive now from the North, I hope that’s not a futile request.  The limit of 55 thorugh Bangor is essential, especially at the Boardway, Union, and Hammond Street entrances.

  • Anonymous

    OK, no more complaints about the price of fuel, OK?

  • Rgiff

    Where is the list of moose crossings in penobscot county? At the moose lodge. How does anyone know where they are going to cross? You sound like youre on swamp salts.

  • Anonymous

    Interesting.  Increased air drag and rolling friction should work against your obviously well designed engine.  Not everyone has those kind of wheels.

  • Anonymous

    Mass drivers doing only 65 in the passing lane?  Rare breed from my observation, most are among the worst and overly speedy drivers around.  Then there’s the CT drivers … (you can keep them too).

  • Anonymous

    Never miss a chance to go off point, do you?

  • Anonymous

    And get rear ended? (or the middle digit)

  • Anonymous

    So’s your shtick.  No obsession, just wise regard (absent in so many posts on these pages).

  • Anonymous

    I’m not surprised at those figures.  However, per capita may be misleading since we get so many out of state visitors.

  • Anonymous

    Everybodys gotta go sometime. May as well be while smoking a joint going 80 while shooting a Roman candle out the drivers side window.

  • Anonymous

    like I said before, this is a great move..safety at it’s best, now the moose will fly over the car instead of going through the windshield…much safer that way…I know I feel better..

  • Anonymous

    Big difference between Florida highways and Maine’s.  Flat, straight, better waether (except for scattered hurricanes, deluge rains, and tornados).  Oh yeah, try doing 75 in those traffic backups so common on I-75 both sides of Tampa.

  • Anonymous

    I did. I am from the bay area. You must be talking about the I-4 connector. Its a pain yes. Definitely right about the roads there… Straight, flat, and maintained! Can’t wait to go home! Have a great day! Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone

  • waynorth1

    Driven it a lot…..you got two types of drivers…..the ones who will follow the speed limit and the young kids, Canadians and others who go 90, including truckers.  I’ve always played it safe with the 72 MPH…….I enjoy the quietness and the scenery, crank the stereo up and relax.     

  • Anonymous

    About time the faster drivers get a break!  I will be glad to travel 75 while the Sunday driving Bible thumpers will go 50 in the passing lane with the left turn signal still flashing.  Lets bump the speed to 85 mph.  The stretch above Old Town could be faster than 75.  If people dont like the speed increase, then stay in the right lane and watch us fly by you.

  • Anonymous

    If I could give you 1000 likes right now, I would in a heartbeat!  Kudos to you!!

  • Anonymous

    LOL…no, those are the ones passing you going 80 mph in a 2wd Toyota when there is 2″ of slush on the road, thanks to that hair brained calcium the state thinks is so wonderful. I’ll take sand and salt any day.  

  • Anonymous

    A lot of us wish we didn’t remember yesterday…or the day before.
    Try vodka, it seems to be easier on the memory.

  • Anonymous

    A lot of us wish we didn’t remember yesterday…or the day before.
    Try vodka, it seems to be easier on the memory.

  • Anonymous

    Seriously?  I thought the Death Road was in Bolivia.  Maybe we should invite the History Channel to do a reality show.  “Watch as drivers do break-neck speeds and dodge killer moose while consuming unpatriotic levels of fuel…”  Brilliant!

  • Anonymous

    Seriously?  I thought the Death Road was in Bolivia.  Maybe we should invite the History Channel to do a reality show.  “Watch as drivers do break-neck speeds and dodge killer moose while consuming unpatriotic levels of fuel…”  Brilliant!

  • Anonymous

    Seriously?  I thought the Death Road was in Bolivia.  Maybe we should invite the History Channel to do a reality show.  “Watch as drivers do break-neck speeds and dodge killer moose while consuming unpatriotic levels of fuel…”  Brilliant!

  • Anonymous

    Seriously?  I thought the Death Road was in Bolivia.  Maybe we should invite the History Channel to do a reality show.  “Watch as drivers do break-neck speeds and dodge killer moose while consuming unpatriotic levels of fuel…”  Brilliant!

  • Anonymous

    Seriously?  I thought the Death Road was in Bolivia.  Maybe we should invite the History Channel to do a reality show.  “Watch as drivers do break-neck speeds and dodge killer moose while consuming unpatriotic levels of fuel…”  Brilliant!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1071238036 Aaron Dotter

    I don’t mind people going 75 there, but if they were doing that when the speed limit was 65, won’t they go 85 with a 75 limit?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1071238036 Aaron Dotter

    I don’t mind people going 75 there, but if they were doing that when the speed limit was 65, won’t they go 85 with a 75 limit?

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it bass ackwards.  I replaced the dope with beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it bass ackwards.  I replaced the dope with beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it bass ackwards.  I replaced the dope with beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it bass ackwards.  I replaced the dope with beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it bass ackwards.  I replaced the dope with beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it bass ackwards.  I replaced the dope with beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it bass ackwards.  I replaced the dope with beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it backwards.  I traded the dope for beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Buzlno

    You’ve got it backwards.  I traded the dope for beer and vodka 40 years ago!   :-0

  • Anonymous

    You forgot the whoopee pie

  • Anonymous

    You forgot the whoopee pie

  • http://www.facebook.com/chrisegill Christopher Gill

    well I remember the state of Maryland going threw the same arguments, More death ,accidents ect. the fat remained that accidents went down. not up and the data they were useing was old and not to standards. never mind the “old speed limits were made with cars that had suspensions used 30+ years ago and old bias tires

  • http://www.facebook.com/chrisegill Christopher Gill

    well I remember the state of Maryland going threw the same arguments, More death ,accidents ect. the fat remained that accidents went down. not up and the data they were useing was old and not to standards. never mind the “old speed limits were made with cars that had suspensions used 30+ years ago and old bias tires

  • Anonymous

    It should be 75 north of Portland.

  • Anonymous

    It should be 75 north of Portland.

  • Anonymous

    People in Maine are smarter and better drivers…not to mention they have more common sense which btw, can’t be legislated.  :)  Maine drivers understand the meaning of fast for conditions and drive defensively–especially against those from away.  :)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    Fuel economy ?

     Who needs it, the Republicans are in charge!

    Burn it up , makes no differance anyway , Global warming is for sissy’s!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    Fuel economy ?

     Who needs it, the Republicans are in charge!

    Burn it up , makes no differance anyway , Global warming is for sissy’s!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    Fuel economy ?

     Who needs it, the Republicans are in charge!

    Burn it up , makes no differance anyway , Global warming is for sissy’s!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    Fuel economy ?

     Who needs it, the Republicans are in charge!

    Burn it up , makes no differance anyway , Global warming is for sissy’s!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    Fuel economy ?

     Who needs it, the Republicans are in charge!

    Burn it up , makes no differance anyway , Global warming is for sissy’s!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    It sounds to me the faster you go the better the fuel economy!

    I get the same effect with Beer the more I drink the Smarter I get!

    The differance between you and me is the next day I know the differance!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    It sounds to me the faster you go the better the fuel economy!

    I get the same effect with Beer the more I drink the Smarter I get!

    The differance between you and me is the next day I know the differance!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    It sounds to me the faster you go the better the fuel economy!

    I get the same effect with Beer the more I drink the Smarter I get!

    The differance between you and me is the next day I know the differance!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    It sounds to me the faster you go the better the fuel economy!

    I get the same effect with Beer the more I drink the Smarter I get!

    The differance between you and me is the next day I know the differance!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    It sounds to me the faster you go the better the fuel economy!

    I get the same effect with Beer the more I drink the Smarter I get!

    The differance between you and me is the next day I know the differance!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QCC3ABRLTIU3EFA26HUIDQZTSM Chris

    LOL … There will still be jackasses tailgating  on their cell phones.

  • Anonymous

    BS

  • Anonymous

    Step back and do your homework.  More moose are hit on our main and secondary roads then on the interstate. What frightens me is getting of one of the exits north of Medway and traveling them roads. I don’t have as much fear driving to Bangor on the interstate, as I do driving to Fort Kent or even Ashland. This increase in speed will let us get to and from a little faster now, and of course the ones of us that travel 70-75 legal!! : )

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

    This article is about changing the speed limit signs, its not about “proffesional” truck drivers. Why is it everytime some Traffic news article comes up  someone always slams the truckers? How about the motorccylist I saw one day go by me OVER the speed limit in a wheelie? How about the  pick up truck with what looked like 6 people stuffed into the cab PASSING me and I was doing 70? I didnt take them long to disappear ahead of me.  How about the little sports car that flew by me only to swing in barely a cars length ahead of me?  Then take the very next exit that he/she ALMOST missed. How about the woman driving 70 plus MPH and I see her 2 kids in the back seat ans her on the cell phone? As  a truck driver I have seen some extememely scarey things going on in the vehicles driving by me. Lets not point fingers at the “professional” truck drivers when we need to look out for EVERY driver out there on the road.

    PS, even at very low speeds with light fluffy snow, you are goign to get that nasty white out, hang on and remember, you live in maine and I hope you are a competant enough driver to handle those situations.  This is NOT directed at one person in particular,,,,,have a great night everyone!

    Remember, trucks deliver your food, lumber, cars, clothing,,,they also clear your streets of snow, we’re not all bad drivers and alot of us take into consideration the little cars we drive next to. Ohhhh, and the driver that made someones day because they were off the road,,,they have a spouse and kids somewhere and im sure they wouldnt feel too good knowing there loved one is off the road to avoid the car that cut them off,,just saying.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

    The state isnt using calcium anymore,,they use a salt brine. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    See, thats a good one. But you forgot a ‘Lepage for Governor’ bumper sticker on the bumper.  And  “in living memory of _(a relative who died speeding )__” etched on the rear window.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    Everyone knows the state police give you 10mph OVER. They have even said it on radio shows.   That means you can do 85mph

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    As i said, over 80% of the fatalities in Maine are on the secondary ,residential roadways, where Mainers predominately drive.   Our safe Maine highways have alot of out of state drivers. That could be mean out of state drivers actually drive safer in Maine than Mainers.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=787484773 David Reed

    It”ll save approx. 10 minutes, if you do drive the entire 100 miles.  I don’t know about you guys, but burning all that extra gas just to save ten minutes isn’t worth it to me.

  • Anonymous

    This will give us all the chance to practice “distraction-free” driving skills.  I’ve noticed in other states that there used to be (maybe still is) a lower night time speed limit on some of the faster stretches (70 and 75 mph).  I wonder if that was ever considered here in Maine?

  • Anonymous

    “There’d be a tombstone every mile”

  • Anonymous

    THEY USE LIQUID CALICUM CHLORIDE………….. NOT  SODIUM CHLORIDE(ROCK SALT)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7T3YNF6MG3FPEAVTFIJC44VQUI Dlbrt

    Does anybody remember when we drove 55 speculating the price of gas would lower by increasing fuel economy?

    Now Goldman Sachs is making it go back up with speculation!

  • Anonymous

    PER CAPITA, codeword for accidents divided into small population = hight number of accidents per person…  so if  divided into large populaton like new york few accidents per person even though theyhave triple the accidents we have in maine… meaning our population is a drop in the bucket. bet wyoming has a high ratio also along with antartica.

  • Anonymous

     at 65 you hit the moose ….But at 85 you will have past the moose before it crossed the road. sorta like the chicken

  • Anonymous

    with the poor milage ethanol gives may as well burn more

  • yowsayowsa1

    My sentiments exactly!

  • Anonymous

    About time!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    Soon the children in the backseat of  a family car will be able to play ‘who sees the most roadway memorials first’  from  Old Town to Houlton

  • Anonymous

    80 MPH is turtle speed on a almost vacant interstate highway.  Folks gotta get home quick to loaf.  Loafin’ saves life.

  • Anonymous

    “A 1999 Maine Department of Transportation study showed that most drivers already were driving up to 75 mph between Old Town and Houlton.”

    It’s been my recent observation that drivers are driving in excess of 80 miles per hour on I95 between Bangor and anywhere South. Does that mean the State of Maine will soon increase the speed limit on that stretch as well?  That’s the most ridiculous statement ever!

  • Anonymous

    That’s what I was thinking. People drive way too fast already. They don’t need encouragement to go even faster.

  • Anonymous

    Back in the old days….when they raised the speed limit from 55 to 65, the deaths went down by 20%.  Boredom kills, speed doesn’t unless you drive inappropriately in  weather or traffic  conditions.

  • Anonymous

    I used to do the crossword puzzle, eat three hamburgers, fries, milkshake, scratch my butt,   catch a few mini-naps while driving 55.  It’s amazing that I usually found myself 3-5 lanes away from where I had dead reckoned I should have been.  Nobody is alert at turtle speed…. except turtles.

  • Anonymous

    There is so little traffic on that stretch, if there are any accidents it will be the fault of the lone driver going off the road due to falling asleep or not paying attention.  I think they should have gone one step further and have no speed limit.

  • Anonymous

    That’s not necessarily true, I know a couple guys that got pulled over doing about 72-73 or so they were told.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    As a teen, i would drive with my knees,etc,real stupid stuff. Today’s teens will be doing stupid stuff at 75-85mph

  • http://www.facebook.com/jwstorm John White

    12.3 minutes to be exact .. not that I’m counting or anything ..

  • http://www.facebook.com/jwstorm John White

    So drive 55 .. nobody stopping you there .. just stay the heck outta the way!

  • Anonymous

    What?  No Allen’s?

  • Anonymous

    theres a point where that changes and you start burning more quickly, its interesting though because it used to be that cars would be most efficient at 55 now with newer technology its higher. 

  • vincent colantuoni

    I personnoly would like to see autobahn speeds from Vezie north… lots of triple digit hyper speed motorcycles that never get to strech their legs like my  2000 (unrestricted) suzuki hayabusa…or could we just use all the new bike paths?

  • kkmousse

    As a person that travels that stretch of road. I think this is a very bad idea.  People drive  75 as it is NOW.  With the speed legally going to 75 what do you think those speeders are going to be driving then?  95-100 mph. 

  • kkmousse

    There are 2 sides to every story and as a person from Away that have lived up here for a while now. I feel comfortable with the truckers. They are doing their job and usually safely.  It is mostly inconsiderate cars that seem to like to drive in the truckers blind spot and pull in front of them and around them.  Those people have no idea of what it takes to control a 18 wheeler that is fully loaded to keep from causing an accident by trying to avoid hitting that inconsiderate driver that just cut them off. 

  • vincent colantuoni

    trade in that crystal ball… its a downer…

  • vincent colantuoni

    cars in 1976 ran @ optimum millage at 55 because they were built that way… better transmissions and computer controlled engines with less friction and more power per cubic inch have moved forward by leaps and bounds… not to mention the 8 way air bag systems and even accident avoidence systems…sheesh…read a motor trend once in a while Gramps… we are not talking about dads old Ford festiva or chevy citation : )

  • vincent colantuoni

    “that means you can go 185-190 …just saying what I’m thinking”  

    sorry…thought I would fixit for you.

  • Anonymous

    A 1999 Maine Department of Transportation study showed that most drivers already were driving up to 75 mph between Old Town and Houlton. 

    the accident rate shouldn’t change that much with the increased speed limit.

  • vincent colantuoni

    Took a corner, Side-Swiped a truck
    Crossed my fingers just for luck 
    My Fenders was clickin’ the guard rail postsThe guy beside me was white as a ghostSmoke was coming from outta of the backWhen I started to gain on that Cadillac
    Knew I could catch him, I thought I could passDon’t ya know by then we’d be low on gas?Had flames comin’ from outta the sideFeel the tension, man what a ride
    I said “Look out boys, I’ve got a license to fly”And that Caddy pulled over and let us byNow all of the sudden she started to knockin’And down in a dips she started to rockin’
    I looked in the mirror, a red light was blinkin’
    The cops was after my Hot Rod Lincoln

    They arrested me and they put me in jail
    And called my pappy to throw my bail
    He said “Son, you’re gonna to drive me to drinkin’
    If you don’t stop drivin’ that Hot Rod Lincoln”

    one of my favorite cruzin’ songs!  

  • Anonymous

    no no not a roman candle.. now we can get the big boys!! haha strap those on to the hood and scare the moose out of the way!

  • vincent colantuoni

    so how long have you been a crash test dummy?  : )

  • vincent colantuoni

    You would be amazed at what stupid stuff  and at what speeds I hear way older than teens do out there after 3:oo am…   most of the good moose are sleeping by then : )

  • vincent colantuoni

    not sure ,but it seems like there already are…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1151927862 Kathrine Long-lozier

    Last weekend the posted limit was 65, I was traveling a little faster than that, Ok I was doing about 74mpr, I was passed like I was standing still, and didnt pass one person. So, from what I can determin, people could possibly be traveling around 90 now that the limit has been raised.  I pray that when they go off the road they dont take my family and many others with them.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MLD4PUC2FDBZG3UWLM6KFTEBBM Mrs_O

    Seriously??? You have seen a Canadian do 90?? I haven’t even seen one turn into a Tim Horton’s that didn’t come to a full stop first and then move so slowly I could push them into the parking lot faster!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FAQ3OHFMP33PV4FJCA5HNJFSUE JenniferS

    I agree with you. Once highway speeds go up, fuel consumption goes down. I’d rather keep driving the extra 12 1/2 minutes to pay less money for gas. Of course you might get somewhere quicker going 75mph compared to 65mph, but getting to your destination quicker doesn’t mean that you get more money in your paycheck to account for going an extra 10mph faster to counteract the higher fuel consumption.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MLD4PUC2FDBZG3UWLM6KFTEBBM Mrs_O

    I am really surprised at how many people think this is such a bad idea. We don’t like to fly, so we drive to our vacation destinations. I have been on 4 lane highways with 70 mph limits,  packed to the point that you are stuck in the lane that you are in! Surely, we can handle open highway space at 75. 

    As far as the moose and inclement weather – your chances of avoiding a moose at 65 vs 75 are probably not that different, nor is the damage; just like people will 40 in the 55 mile an hour zones here in Bangor on crappy days, the majority will slow it down in higher speed zones as well.  I am sure some won’t, but those people are the ones that speed no matter what the limit says.

  • PaulNotBunyan

    Slowing down a bit at night in moose country probably does makes a difference. I’ve always kept it under 70 mph after dark on the interstate.

  • Anonymous

    Finally.  

  • Anonymous

    Finally.  

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Shaw/100000339973643 Ben Shaw

    A Canadian doing 90 on the interstate doesn’t sound that far off to me.  Remember: they use Metric.

  • Anonymous

    now im gonna drive to houlton just cause no reason

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    YOU KNOW,WE ALL KNOW shortly after the new higher speed limit goes in effect on Saturday, it will only be days when we open  up the Bangor Daily News in the morning and read: ‘driver killed on route 95 going blab,blab,blab speed’   Then a day later another driver, then ….well, you all get the point. Certain news stories keep repeating themselves in the BDN, deaths on the new higher speed limit highway will be one of them.

  • Anonymous

    Well Rebecca, there certainly seems to be a lot more dangerous and inconsiderate truck drivers out there than you think. Tell me why these truckers feel the need to risk their’s AND our lives by passing during storms for no reason. Why can’t they be safer and stay in the travel lane during these storms, they know perfectly well they are causing white outs.
    Why do truckers not yield when getting on the interstate, especially southbound from I-395? They come blasting out of the on ramp with no intention what so ever of yielding to oncoming traffic. If you’re in the travel lane and blocked by someone in the hammer lane you have no place to go, you can’t even get off on the east to Brewer off ramp. Of course I have no doubt that whatever they are hauling is way more important than someone just trying to get to work and earn a living, truckers surely should have priority to earn their money. 
    Also if they were concerned about their kids, maybe they should slow down and then they may not be off the road.

  • Anonymous

    Only one problem. Last year if anyone noticed, the DOT only plowed the passenger lane from Old Town north and Houlton south during any snowstorm. Everytime I had to travel it during a snowstorm (which seemed like every time it snowed) I got stuck behind someone doing 35mph. There was a car off the road every 1/2 mile who tried to pass. The passing lanes were covered in ice for days after each storm. Budget cuts you know…

  • Anonymous

    It’ll take about less than a week before some “professional” trucker kills some innocent driver. And why? Because car drivers are suppose to know that it takes much longer for a loaded truck to stop, and of course that there’s a mental midget behind the wheel of that big rig. Drivers beware -now these nuts will be going 10 mph faster. 

  • Anonymous

    Truckers have very small minds, they think because they are BIG, they are more important than everyone else and therefore it gives them the right to hog the road. Horrible people.

  • Anonymous

    Wrong, its the truckers who have ‘no idea’ how to control an 18 wheeler. Why is it incumbant on car drivers to ‘understand’ truck driving?  If you can’t control your rig slow the $%^& down.

  • Anonymous

    try books on tape, ….. it will change your life

  • Anonymous

    try books on tape, ….. it will change your life

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    Drivers will still be going 75mph in whiteout road conditions.

  • Anonymous

    What everyone complaining about gas mileage is’t getting is: it’s NOT about speed, it’s about tach/RPMs. Trucks generally get less MPG because their gear ratio is lower – built for hauling, pushing, and work. Therefore, their engine has to turn faster to turn their gears – using more fuel. If you have a 32MPG honda 5-speed – and it’s stuck in first gear trying to do 40 MPH – you’re going to use a crap-load of gas. In alot of todays nwewst cars – this speed increase will NOT use fuel faster – their actually geared for it!!!

  • Anonymous

    Drop the hammer.

  • poormaniac

    Don’t forget the Canadian drivers who can’t seen to get the mph/kph thing. On another note I’m wondering how many drivers will now go close to 90 instead of 80 ? This stretch of road could have made the state tons of money in the past , just not enough enforcement. Seems all of the police wait down in the Bangor area where it slows to 55 and get the easy targets.

  • poormaniac

    Or not at all !

  • poormaniac

    Please , what kind of car do you have ? I drive an Outback and lose 2-3 mpg over 65 mph. Best fuel economy is obtained when I use cruise control also.

  • poormaniac

    Do you mean legalize it for people north of Old Town ? Save me the roach !

  • poormaniac

    Except there’ll be less meat to salvage !

  • poormaniac

    Quite a song indeed but you boys must be collecting social security !

  • poormaniac

    Some of King’s stuff would have been better written by monkeys. Nobody bats 1000 !

  • poormaniac

    Some of King’s stuff would have been better written by monkeys. Nobody bats 1000 !

  • Anonymous

    Those that remember the 70′s, those God awful Carter years, gas was in short supply, lines were long and the speed limit was dropped to double Nichols (55mph). I guess we are more interested in just getting there than we are conserving energy.10-4 good buddy,

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_57C3XJX5VALK7UV27IFLFVB764 Scott

    I don’t think this is a bad idea, but it’s the wrong approach to make something legal just because everyone is doing it.

    What’s next?  Optional stopping at stop signs?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    then don’t drive 75 mph then…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    yes, if you don’t have any….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    LOLOL, give me a break.  Hhow often have you seen THAT happen?  I travel the interstate all the time and have NEVER seen anyone rear ended because they were doing to slow.  If you’re that afraid, them stay off the roads…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    I doubt it…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    hyperbole much….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    they do already….

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GBHAWY2DGMGS5W3VHFYLBPN7AU Jay C

    yes, we have soo many during tourists during black ice season.

  • Anonymous

    The truck drivers of today are definitely not as coutious as the truckers of yesteryear.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1151927862 Kathrine Long-lozier

    Exactly! Last weekend I was speeding along that stretch, and people were passing me like I was going 45.  I’m now scared to drive there with my kids in the car.  They want to increase the amount of weight the tractor trailers can hall and then increase the legal speed?  Sounds like a bad plan to me.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689133505 Jessica Campbell

    Tree hugger I have to disagree with you. Fact is they are bigger than us but that is their profession.Its also how we transport the groceries and goods we buy at the supermarket. They must “hog the road” so you say because that is their job. In snow storms, people may need fresh food more to stock up than in regular wether which gives them every right to be out there in a blizzard..i highly doubt they would if they had a chance to stay inside safe. Maybe a little bit more compassion..

  • Anonymous

    you still can. Its a max speed, not a requirement.

  • Anonymous

    Actually, the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit has never been proven to save lives.

    After the Republican Congress repealed the federally mandated 55-mile-per-hour speed limit in 1995, there were 66,000 fewer road injuries in 1997 than in 1995, the year before the speed limits were raised.

  • Anonymous

    Actually a big part of our tourist season for Northern Maine happens from Fall to Spring.

  • Anonymous

    Whatever it is they use, I’ve never liked it.  Seems like the roads were a lot less slippery when they used sand.

  • 525_44

    The moose are there regardless of what the speed limit is. Just because you can go faster doesn’t mean you have to, but raising the limit won’t cut down on the amount of moose crossing the road.

  • tryptifed4

    you obviously don’t appreciate having toilet paper delivered to your local grocery store and perhaps you are the one that belongs off the road….get a life.

  • tryptifed4

    the horrible people are the dumb arses like you who don’t appreciate having the goods you eat and use delivered to your local grocery store…..severe lack of common sense obviously….and you most definitely sound like the stupid four wheeler drivers that cause irrate truck drivers…..make it simple and get off the roads yourself

  • tryptifed4

    jessica well said

  • PaulNotBunyan

    I knew that. I was just responding to her suggestion that it doesn’t make a difference. At night you can’t see the area between the pavement and the tree line so well. I’ve seen lots of deer grazing in the median at night but I didn’t see them until I was rather close.

  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous

    Asleep at the Wheel-Hot Rod Lincoln  utube it > rock on <  ;-)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q4AP5EYCYRCGZGIJGWI6TLIUEA Tom

    Speed limits, traffic signs, and center line stripes are all merely suggestions for drivers.

  • Anonymous

    Not the people with common sense..

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_57C3XJX5VALK7UV27IFLFVB764 Scott

    My groceries come from the garden.  They don’t need a truck to travel the 50 feet into the house.

  • Anonymous

    Good example you start by telling you were in violation of the speed limit when you witnessed other violations.  The example of the passing during a snowstorm is fitting when the weather is bad then we should not throw caution to the wind.  we need to drive accordingly.  Just because i live in Maine does not mean that i should be able to handle the situation someone caused by being unsafe and discurteous.  Not all truck drivers are bad nor are all drivers bad.  It is the ones that do not drive accordingly that make everyone else looked bad.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

     Ill answer that with a a question if you dont  mind. Why do car drivers pull out in front of a loaded truck and then stop 50 feet up the road to make a left hand turn leaving that trucker to slam on his brakes and drive into the ditch to avoid smashing the car that just cut them off? You dont know, just like I dont know why SOME truck drivers feel the need to pass and cause white outs.  
     As for the other questions you asked. Im guessing some truckers do not yield for the same reason some  car drivers  do not yield, they dont want to.  I can not get into the minds of people that cut me off whether they are driving a truck or a car. Doesnt make it right no matter how big or small you are.
     I personaly feel I do a good job as a commercial driver, whether I have my plow and wing  pushing snow or if im just hauling gravel to and from a jobsite. I have had some very scarey moments plowing, hauling and even over the road and not once was it from another truck driver. That does not mean  there are no bad truckdrivers, I will not stereo type like treehugger did. Theres good and bad in all drivers, unfortunately its the big trucks that scare you the most and leave an impression on you.  Therefore making people think all truckers a “small minded” as treehugger  naively believes. 

     I have personlay witnessed a “proffesional” driver try to avoid a collision with a car. The driver ended up in the ditch on his side and then a hospital. The car driver was at fault, she  wanted to hit dunkin donuts before she went in to work so she pulled out in front of him and then stopped for that left hand turn. Maybe we could have sent her to the drivers kids so she could tell them, I put your Daddy in the hospital because I wanted a donut, so sorry. 

     Theres crazy everywhere, not just in  the truckers.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

     Seriously?  Open your mind a little and you will see that there are very intelligent truck drivers out there doing just what you are doing. Earning a living and keeping stores stocked with products you need to keep on living in the comfort your live in now.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

     Seriously?  Open your mind a little and you will see that there are very intelligent truck drivers out there doing just what you are doing. Earning a living and keeping stores stocked with products you need to keep on living in the comfort your live in now.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

     Seriously?  Open your mind a little and you will see that there are very intelligent truck drivers out there doing just what you are doing. Earning a living and keeping stores stocked with products you need to keep on living in the comfort your live in now.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WUBACUHL76OMPRM24DE2Z36Q34 David .W

    Why is it only past old town? I think it should be all of 1 95…

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

    If you read it I believe there was only one time I stated I was doing 70,,,which was only 5 over, and that was keeping up with all of the other traffic, I was the only truck in a line of several cars and that pick up was flying.  The woman doing 70 that passed me, obviously I was going slower and guessed at her speed, it could have been more.  You mean you have NEVER driven 5 over the speed limit? Excellent, you should be commended for that. I have no idea how fast I was going when that motorcyclist passed me, I cant remember if I looked or not, it was quite some time ago as was the sports car passing me.

     If im from Maine, I want to know how to drive in Maine weather and that weather includes other traffic, trucks, cars, busses etc.  If I dont have the skill to be out there to take care of myself and my family in case something like a white out happens, I best be staying home. Its called defensive driving, never trust the other driver because you just dont know what they might do.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

     Hmm, what do you use to work your garden? You know, rakes, shovels, roto-tiller? Or did you make your own tools too?

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

    During the last Class we went to that was conducted by the state, they told us all that they do not use calcium any more due to the severe damage it was causing. MAYBE just maybe that teacher was wrong? I guess that should be looked into.
    Oh and YES they do use salt, I followed them to work on several snowy nights when im called in.

  • Anonymous

    I thought it was already 85? When I go through there at 75 everyone passes.

  • Anonymous

     Rock salt working temp 15 deg above zero unlkess you add dark color such as dirt to attact sunlight/ heat or a treatment such as calcium to start the brine. Calcium chloride -25 below…Yes they do use salt (sodium chloride) in solid form crystal.. not in brine… they also treat it with liquid calcium chloride which they use in brine form. you will see the liquid tank on the truck. calcium lowers the eutectic melting temp of the salt starting the brine process. liquid calcium is often sprayed before a storm.They are suppose to start trial on  the  byproduct leftover from the beer process brown liquid color being use on magic salt ice melter. Messy now you know what we do for a living

  • Anonymous

    calcium chloride is sort of oily in solution form.. it trun snow into slippery slush. if you track it in on carpets it attracts soil

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=534883059 Ethan Duffany

    Why don’t they just leave it at 65?? I drive this stretch fairly regularly when I go to New Brunswick….and I drive it usually at 75. Seems like increased posted speeds will just incite people to go even faster than they are already going. The cops clearly don’t care….I had a county sheriff pass me going 80ish a couple of years ago…no blue lights or anything.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

    The State uses  something called Ice Be Gone in addition to the salt, they have drifted away from the calcium chloride they do not buy calcium anymore. We also use Ice Be Gone in the municipalities when we are sanding and  plowing the roads. After 22 Degrees Rock Salt really doesnt work well, but couple that with the Ice Be Gone and it makes a world of difference. Ice Be Gone does not work well if its mixed with sand, best to use it with salt. Nothing works below zero, I know, ive tried. 

     This is taken from Maine DOT’s website,

    When these products are used (which is not every storm or in all areas of the state), they are normally used at a rate of about 2 gallons per mile. Presently, MaineDOT uses a product known as Ice-B-Gone (Reference the “Snow and Ice Materials” section of this web site), which is an environmentally-friendly magnesium chloride blend. Due to performance and cost considerations, MaineDOT has not purchased liquid calcium chloride since May 2005.

    Im sure they will use what little bit they have left, but from the classes I have been to on ice and snow removal over the past few years this is what I hear the State of Maines instructors telling me and several other attending these classes.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

    The State uses  something called Ice Be Gone in addition to the salt, they have drifted away from the calcium chloride they do not buy calcium anymore. We also use Ice Be Gone in the municipalities when we are sanding and  plowing the roads. After 22 Degrees Rock Salt really doesnt work well, but couple that with the Ice Be Gone and it makes a world of difference. Ice Be Gone does not work well if its mixed with sand, best to use it with salt. Nothing works below zero, I know, ive tried. 

     This is taken from Maine DOT’s website,

    When these products are used (which is not every storm or in all areas of the state), they are normally used at a rate of about 2 gallons per mile. Presently, MaineDOT uses a product known as Ice-B-Gone (Reference the “Snow and Ice Materials” section of this web site), which is an environmentally-friendly magnesium chloride blend. Due to performance and cost considerations, MaineDOT has not purchased liquid calcium chloride since May 2005.

    Im sure they will use what little bit they have left, but from the classes I have been to on ice and snow removal over the past few years this is what I hear the State of Maines instructors telling me and several other attending these classes.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rebecca.dinsmore Rebecca Dinsmore

    The State uses  something called Ice Be Gone in addition to the salt, they have drifted away from the calcium chloride they do not buy calcium anymore. We also use Ice Be Gone in the municipalities when we are sanding and  plowing the roads. After 22 Degrees Rock Salt really doesnt work well, but couple that with the Ice Be Gone and it makes a world of difference. Ice Be Gone does not work well if its mixed with sand, best to use it with salt. Nothing works below zero, I know, ive tried. 

     This is taken from Maine DOT’s website,

    When these products are used (which is not every storm or in all areas of the state), they are normally used at a rate of about 2 gallons per mile. Presently, MaineDOT uses a product known as Ice-B-Gone (Reference the “Snow and Ice Materials” section of this web site), which is an environmentally-friendly magnesium chloride blend. Due to performance and cost considerations, MaineDOT has not purchased liquid calcium chloride since May 2005.

    Im sure they will use what little bit they have left, but from the classes I have been to on ice and snow removal over the past few years this is what I hear the State of Maines instructors telling me and several other attending these classes.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    13 minutes.

    That is how little time you save going from Old Town to Houghton going 75 instead of 65.  When you are looking up at 6 feet of dirt, ask yourself if it was worth it to save 13 measly minutes.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJYZV7JWWJCPG7BX65EM6UOHZ4 Skowhegan Resident

    13 minutes.

    That is how little time you save going from Old Town to Houghton going 75 instead of 65.  When you are looking up at 6 feet of dirt, ask yourself if it was worth it to save 13 measly minutes.

  • Anonymous

     Ice be gone is a brand name like peladow & dowflake, combotherm are to calcium chloride… other brands superior snow& ice, safe step  not an actually 1 chemical icemelter, but  blends. Its unfortunate you seem to  know very little on ice melters yet you make it sound as if your an important player in some town managment. As for the state and its departments we sell them ice melter and they use calcium chloride liquid and  sodium and mag blends.  This is a very large part of our busines for over 65 years. you may want to visit the Dow website, Cargill also if you want to learn the truth. Learn about blends companies like Ossian, north american salt, cp industries, international salt, xynyth mfg,mortonsalt, morgro, kissner group, millazo…. Many agri companies who sell ice melter as a sideline to unload their magnesium and potassium chloride junk.(fertilizers)… educate yourself… don’t believe everything the state tells you

  • Anonymous

     Here is a little info on mag chloride used in  ice be gone which has distillers leftovers & molasses added.  Ever notice how brown the film is on your car where ice be gone , magic ice are being used?    ever wonder why our states bridge decks and rebar are falling apart? Ossian is a leader in ice melter industry.

    The Growing Case Against Magnesium Chloride
    In light of the wealth of scientific information on the concrete damaging effects of magnesium chloride, Ossian Inc. has eliminated all usage of the chemical in our formulations.  We feel that the case against magnesium chloride is strong enough that we do not feel comfortable recommending it to our customers.  The links below are a small collection of the growing scientific data we have found on the subject.
    Magnesium Chloride as a Road Deicer: A Critical ReviewPeter G. Snow, FACIBurns Concrete, Inc.Idaho Falls, Idahohttp://www.pcei.org/MagchlorideWhitePaper.pdf
    1998 Transportation Conference ProceedingsPCC Pavement Deterioration and Expansive Mineral GrowthHyomin Lee, Anita M. Cody, Robert D. Cody and Paul G. SpryDepartment of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State Universityhttp://www.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/crossroads/71pcc.pdf
    Semiseqicentennial Transportation ConferenceThe Formation of Rims on Dolomite Aggregate in Iowa ConcretePaul G. Spry, Guo-Lian Gan, Robert D. Cody and Anita M. CodyDepartment of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State Universityhttp://www.ctre.iastate.edu/PUBS/semisesq/session1/spry/index.htm
    Semiseqicentennial Transportation ConferenceConcrete Deterioration by Deicing Salts: An Experimental StudyRobert D. Cody, Anita M. Cody, Paul G. Spry and Guo-Lian GanDepartment of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State Universityhttp://www.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/semisesq/session1/cody/
    Mid-Continent Transportation SymposiumEffects of Various Deicing Chemicals on Pavement Concrete DeteriorationHyomin Lee, Robert D. Cody, Anita M. Cody, and Paul G. SpryDepartment of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State Universityhttp://www.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/midcon/Lee.pdf
    Iowa DOT HR-384, Final ReportExpansive Mineral Growth and Concrete DeteriorationProject Development Division of the Iowa Department of TransportationThe Iowa Highway Research BoardDepartment of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State UniversityAbstract http://www.operationsresearch.dot.state.ia.us/reports/reports_pdf/hr_and_tr/abstracts/hr384.pdfReporthttp://www.operationsresearch.dot.state.ia.us/reports/reports_pdf/hr_and_tr/reports/hr384.pdf
    Iowa DOT HR-355, Final ReportThe Role of Magnesium in Concrete DeteriorationProject Development Division of the Iowa Department of TransportationThe Iowa Highway Research BoardDepartment of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State Universityhttp://www.operationsresearch.dot.state.ia.us/reports/reports_pdf/hr_and_tr/abstracts/hr355.pdf
     
    Ossian Inc. has been developing and manufacturing high performance ice melters since 1974. Based in the heart of the U.S. snowbelt, Ossian operates the most active private de-icing lab in the United States, working to reduce our country’s dependency on salt and pioneering alternative de-icing technology.icemelt@ossian.com563-324-3381

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    I haven’t made any.  I don’t concern myself much with the price of gas.  It costs what it costs.  Fretting about the pricing of something I can’t avoid requiring is just a shortcut to a nervous breakdown.  It’s not like I can go power my car with something else.  Or take the bullet train from West Podunk to Collegetown.

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    I haven’t made any.  I don’t concern myself much with the price of gas.  It costs what it costs.  Fretting about the pricing of something I can’t avoid requiring is just a shortcut to a nervous breakdown.  It’s not like I can go power my car with something else.  Or take the bullet train from West Podunk to Collegetown.

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    I haven’t made any.  I don’t concern myself much with the price of gas.  It costs what it costs.  Fretting about the pricing of something I can’t avoid requiring is just a shortcut to a nervous breakdown.  It’s not like I can go power my car with something else.  Or take the bullet train from West Podunk to Collegetown.

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    I haven’t made any.  I don’t concern myself much with the price of gas.  It costs what it costs.  Fretting about the pricing of something I can’t avoid requiring is just a shortcut to a nervous breakdown.  It’s not like I can go power my car with something else.  Or take the bullet train from West Podunk to Collegetown.

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    That’s not the sort of question a gentleman answers.

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    That’s not the sort of question a gentleman answers.

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    That’s not the sort of question a gentleman answers.

  • http://twitter.com/z_gryphon Ben Hutchins

    That’s not the sort of question a gentleman answers.

  • Anonymous

    There are people that do a daily commute between the Houlton area and Old Town/Bangor?

    Wow.  They may save 750 seconds and more power to them, but they’re still spending *hours* a day traveling.

    No thanks!

  • Anonymous

    Isn’t this a bit like lowering the drinking age – because there are so many under 21 yr olds drinking alcohol? (It would help business!)  Or how about making more, now illegal, drugs legal? (even some cops use them)  In my opinion, this increase in the speed limit is a BAD idea. What about saving gasoline? What about trying to decrease moose accidents? What about the sensible people who choose to drive at 55 mph between Houlton and Old Town? I’m sure there will be some who say that people who drive at 55 mph are the ones who “cause accidents”

ADVERTISEMENT | Grow your business

Marketplace Coupons

ADVERTISEMENT | Grow your business