Pennsylvania Turnpike's 65 mph speed limit bumped to 70 mph

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has approved an increase in the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph along most of the toll road.

The commission vote Tuesday followed an 18-month study of the increase, which is expected to go into effect in the spring.

The maximum speed in areas that have a 65 mph limit now will become 70 mph. Areas posted at 55 mph will remain the same.

Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo says the two speed limits will allow for more consistency for drivers.

A test on a 100-mile stretch between Morgantown and Blue Mountain found that there wasn't a noticeable increase in the actual average speed of vehicles, and there was a decrease in traffic accidents despite an increase in traffic.