In The News

Those in favor of uniform speed limits now have answer in Illinois

Split speeds no more on most Illinois interstates.

On Aug. 14, Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation which will allow Illinois to join 40 other states that have a uniform speed limit on rural interstates, according to the Mid-West Truckers Association (MTA).

The Trucker followed the attempts to abolish split-speed limits on rural interstate highways for several years as each of three times it made it to the governor’s desk something would happen. When finally passed, then Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed the bill.

This year, with a new governor, Pat Quinn, attempts were once again made to get rid of the oft thought dangerous split-speed limits in Illinois, along with some other trucking issues that were covered in other bills.

House Bill 3956, sponsored by Rep. David Reis, R-Olney, and by Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, creates a uniform 65 mph speed limit for both cars and trucks on rural interstates in Illinois outside of Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Lake and Will Counties (where the speed limit would remain at 55 mph).

Currently, Illinois law limits vehicles over 8,000-pounds to 55 mph on rural interstate highways while automobiles may travel at 65 mph.

The new uniform speed limit in Illinois goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, and it does not affect secondary roads and streets, which will retain a maximum speed limit of 55 mph or lower for all vehicles.

Similar legislation has been passed by the General Assembly three other times in the last seven years, but was vetoed each time by the previous administration.

Illinois will be joining 12 states that have a uniform 65 mph speed limit on their rural interstate highways: all 12 of which have a lower fatality rate on their rural interstates than Illinois (Federal Highway Administration, “Highway Statistics” 1996-2005), MTA stated.

A total of 41 states will have a uniform speed limit on their rural interstates; Ohio also eliminated its split-speed limit for cars and trucks on its rural interstates by creating a uniform 65 mph speed limit for all vehicles as of July 1.

Truck Speed Limits on rural interstates for surrounding states:

Iowa:  70 mph (increased in 2005)                          

Indiana:  65 mph (increased in 2005)

Kentucky: 70 mph (increased in 2007)                   

Wisconsin:  65 mph

Missouri:  70 mph

Barb Kampbell of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected] .

www.theTrucker.com