Maryland speed limits top out at 65 miles per hour right now, but the state might soon allow drivers to legally hit 70 miles per hour.

The Maryland Senate voted 39 to 7 on Thursday morning to give state transportation officials the power to increase the maximum to 70 on some interstate highways and expressways. The legislation still needs approval of the Maryland House of Delegates, which passed a similar bill last year.

Sen. George C. Edwards (R-Garrett), who sponsored the legislation, said most major modern highways are constructed to safely handle cars going that fast. Even if the legislation becomes law, he said the state Department of Transportation could opt to leave the speed limits as they are.

“Most states in this country have at least 70 miles per hour,” Edwards said on the Senate floor. (And in Texas, drivers can legally drive 85 miles per hour.)

Virginia has allowed 70-mile-per-hour speed limits on rural highways since 2010. In Delaware, the maximum permitted speed is 65 miles per hour.

Seven Democrats voted against Senate Bill 44, and several of those dissenters raised questions about the increased risk of fatal accidents.

“When the speed limit is 65, most people go 75, 76 — so now when the speed limit goes to 70, people are going to go into the 80, 81, 82,” said Sen. James Brochin (D-Baltimore County), who voted against the bill. “I just think it’s too fast. Speed kills.”

Edwards responded: “Most people — there are some nuts out there — but most people abide by and go what they consider a safe speed. And on most roads, 79 miles per hour is a safe speed.”

Edwards added that if Brochin and others don’t want such a high speed limit in their counties, they should tell transportation officials not to increase limits in those areas.

“It’s not mandatory,” Edwards said.

Read more: www.washingtonpost.com