NY lawmaker wants to raise speed limit to 70 mph in some places. Here's where.

Neal Simon, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
·4 min read
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A Southern Tier lawmaker is sponsoring legislation that would increase the maximum speed limit in New York state for the first time in decades.

The bill, introduced in the Transportation Committee by Sen. Tom O’Mara, R-Big Flats, authorizes the New York Thruway Authority and Department of Transportation to raise the speed limit on select highways by five miles per hour, or from 65 to 70.

New York state’s maximum 65 mph speed limit has been in effect for nearly 30 years. In 1995, then-Gov. George Pataki signed legislation increasing it from 55 mph.

Nationwide, more than 40 states have speed limits of 70 or faster, and only Hawaii’s maximum speed limit of 60 mph is lower than New York's, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Sen. Tom O’Mara, R-Big Flats.
Sen. Tom O’Mara, R-Big Flats.

"New York is one of only seven states that has kept a 65 mph speed limit on major interstates despite all the technology and safety features on so many modern vehicles,” O’Mara said. “Most states have increased the speed limit to 70 mph, including neighboring Pennsylvania. Many have gone even higher, and it’s time for New York state to do the same."

A spokesperson for Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, the chairman of the Transportation Committee, did not respond to requests for comment.

A new speed limit is seen on a sign on the Palisades Interstate Parkway southbound, south of the New York State Thruway.
A new speed limit is seen on a sign on the Palisades Interstate Parkway southbound, south of the New York State Thruway.

Where could speed limits go up in NY?

Under O'Mara's legislation, the following routes would have 70 mph speed limits, provided the increases are approved by the Thruway Authority or the state Department of Transportation:

  • The Southern Tier expressway from east of the Town of Lowman in Chemung County, generally westerly to the Pennsylvania border; and from the Chemung interchange to state Route 26.

  • Interstate 81 from the Pennsylvania border in Broome County to the interchange with state Route 12 in Jefferson County.

  • The Adirondack Northway portion of I-87 from the interchange with Crescent Road in Saratoga County to the province of Quebec.

  • Interstate 88 from the interchange with state Route 369 in Broome County to the interchange with I-90 in Schenectady County.

  • Interstate 390, known as the Genesee Expressway, from the interchange with the Southern Tier Expressway in Steuben County to the interchange with I-490 in Monroe County.

  • Interstate 490 from I-90 exit 45 in Ontario County to the city of Rochester in Monroe County and from I-90 exit 47 in Genesee County to the city of Rochester.

  • Interstate 590 from the interchange with I-390 in Monroe County, to the interchange with I-490 in Monroe County.

  • Route 17 from the interchange with state Route 394 to the Pennsylvania border.

  • Interstate 481 from the southerly interchange with I-81 in Onondaga County to the northerly interchange with I-81 in Onondaga County.

  • State Route 481 from the northerly interchange with I-81 in Onondaga County to the City of Fulton in Oswego County.

  • Interstate 90 from exit 8 in Rensselaer County, then generally easterly to the interchange with the Berkshire section of The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway.

  • Interstate 690, from the City of Syracuse and Town of Geddes border, then generally westerly to the interchange with the New York State Thruway.

  • State Route 690, from the interchange with the Thruway, then generally westerly to its intersection with state Route 48 in the Town of Lysander.

  • State Route 695, from the interchange with I-690, approximately 2.3 miles to the interchange with state Route 5.

  • State Route 5 from the interchange with state Route 695 approximately 5 miles to the interchange with state Route 174 in the Town of Camillus.

  • Route 531 from the interchange with I-490 in Monroe County to the interchange with Route 36 in Monroe County.

  • U.S. Route 219, from the interchange with Armor Duells Road in the Town of Orchard Park, then southerly to the interchange with state Route 39 in the Town of Concord.

“It makes sense for motorist convenience and efficiency, certainly in the more rural areas of the state along the Thruway, I-86, I-390 and I-81, for example," O'Mara said.

A view of Interstate 590 south near Interstate 390 in Brighton, near Rochester, in 2019.
A view of Interstate 590 south near Interstate 390 in Brighton, near Rochester, in 2019.

Insurance Institute: Higher speed limit means more highway deaths

An independent highway safety group thinks raising the speed limit is a bad idea.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety cautioned New Yorkers to expect a costly trade off if the speed limit is raised: quicker arrival times at destinations versus an increase in deaths and serious injuries.

A 2017 IIHS study reported that a 5-mph increase in the speed limit causes an 8% increase in death rates on interstates and freeways, and a 3% increase in deaths on other roads.

“We would expect to see the same thing if New York goes ahead with this," said Charles Farmer, IIHS vice president for research and statistical services.

“The faster you’re going, the more time it’s going to take you to react to an emergency, the more distance you are going to travel while you are trying to get the brakes to work for you," he continued. "When you do eventually hit something, there is a lot more energy at 70 miles an hour than at 65. So you are much more likely to get seriously injured or killed.”

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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: NY speed limit could be raised to 70 mph in some areas. Here's where.