A handful of major state highways and roadways in New York would have a speed limit of 70 mph under a measure proposed Tuesday by Democratic state Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. 

The measure would add New York state to a list of 43 states that currently have speed limits on some of their roads of more than 65 mph, including neighboring Pennsylvania. New York's speed limit has been set at 65 mph since 1995. 

“My bill will bring New York in line with the vast majority of other states that already have speed limits of 70 miles per hour or higher,” Santabarbara said. “The fact is technology has changed and more people are comfortable driving at a higher speed on the highway. We have better roads and modern engineering that has made today’s cars safer and easier to drive. This small change to our state’s speed limit would acknowledge those advancements and adjust to what most drivers comfortably drive at on major roadways across the country.”

The measure would require approval to set a 70 mph by either the Thruway Authority or the state Department of Transportation. 

The Southern Tier Expressway, Adirondack Northway, Interstate 81, Interstate 88 as well as Interstate 90 are among the roads eligible for the higher speed limit as part of the measure. State highways, including State Route 481, State Route 690 and State Route 695 would also be eligible, among others.