American drivers tend to drive at about 70 miles per hour—whatever the legal speed limit happens to be

Left to their own devices, American drivers confronted with an open stretch of interstate highway tend to drive at about 70 miles per hour—whatever the legal speed limit happens to be.

Virginia is the 34th state to raise its rural interstate speed limit to 70. WSJ's Joseph B. White says improved car safety was one reason behind the move, but skeptics worry the increase will lead to more fatalities and greater energy use.

That's the finding of an analysis of speed data gathered by TomTom Inc., a marketer of GPS navigation devices.

TomTom found the fastest drivers, on average, in Mississippi, where interstate drivers average 70.1 mph, or a hair over the maximum posted limit.

Hawaii is the slowest state, with highway drivers traveling at an average 52.7 mph.

References:
Why 70 Miles Per Hour Is the New 55. WSJ.

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