For all of us that drive Minnesota Highway 23 through Spicer, I have an idea that will improve our commute times. Following the same logic that the wise men from the Minnesota Department of Transportation claim to use in setting speed limit laws, I believe we can eventually get the speed limits increased to 55, 65, or maybe even 70 mph, and not just through Spicer, but all along the four-lane stretch from north of New London to south of Willmar.
MnDOT representatives claim they monitor the speed of the traffic, and then set the speed limit to the level that the majority of the vehicles are traveling. It does not appear they use that same approach on interstate highways around the metro areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul. If we continue to push the limit and drive 45, 55, or even faster through Spicer, and follow the same MnDOT logic of the past, I am sure they will reconsider -- and then reconsider again and again and probably raise the speed limit. (Maybe if we break the rules surrounding those obnoxious stop lights, maybe they will reconsider that issue also. Just let the poor pedestrians play dodge ball with the semis, buses and cars.)
Maybe 30 miles per hour was too slow, but where will it stop? And if that was too slow, is 55 mph starting almost in town a little too extreme the other way? Has anyone heard of the concept "Enforce the laws on the books?" That might have helped to keep the speed down. Will we choose to do nothing at all, until some tragedy brings us all back to common sense?
Do the math. If you drive 70, as compared to 60, along the entire 25-mile stretch (estimated) you will save a whopping 3½ minutes. Driving 30 mph compared to 45 mph for two miles will take you about 1Zc minutes longer. Is a longer commute of one to five minutes really worth getting someone killed over? Let's use some common sense.
Chris Petersen
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Spicer
