Bill could raise Fla. speed limit to 75 mph

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — More drivers could be putting the petal to the metal legally soon.  That is if Florida legislators pass a bill that could lead to a 75 mph speed limit on all Florida interstates  and highways.

Highway safety advocates say that if the Florida Legislature passes that there could be more crashes, injuries and deaths, however, supporters of the bill say people are already driving that fast and the speed limit should reflect reality.

Those same advocates say it would actually be safer.  Right now, there are parts of Florida that have a speed limit of 70 mph.  Here in Central Florida, the speed limit on most of the highways and interstates is 65 mph.

The bill wouldn’t actually set the speed limit, but it would allow the state Department of Transportation to raise speed limits by 5 mph over the current limits.  The measure is ready for a vote in the Senate and has one more committee stop in the House.