Virginia lawmakers are moving full speed ahead with legislation to
allow vehicles to travel faster along some highways throughout the
state.
The Virginia Senate voted 29-11 Tuesday, Feb. 2, to
approve a bill that would increase the 65 mph speed limit to 70 mph for
all vehicles on rural sections of interstates where engineers deemed it
safe. The change would also apply to other multilane, divided,
limited-access highways and high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
The
bill – SB537 – now moves to the House where an identical measure was
approved Tuesday on a 71-26 vote. The House bill – HB856 – is on its
way to the Senate for further consideration.
One version of
the legislation must gain approval from both chambers before it can
advance to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s desk for his signature.
The
pursuit of higher speeds has the backing of McDonnell. He pledged
during his run for governor to pursue faster travel on rural stretches
of highway statewide. During his recent State of the Commonwealth
Address, he reiterated his desire to see 70 mph speeds implemented on
stretches of I-95, I-64, I-77 and I-81. McDonnell pointed out that 32
states already have 70 mph speed limits, and 13 states have speeds set
at 75 mph.>>>>>>>>>>>>>..........................
McDonnell said today that the modest increase in
the speed limit not only will be safe for travelers to arrive at their
destinations in a timelier manner, but will also benefit transportation.
“This
is an important early step towards our common goal of improving
transportation in the Commonwealth,” McDonnell said in a statement.
Virginia
truckers appear to be welcoming the thought of traveling more roadways
in the state at 70 mph. Owner-operator and OOIDA Life Member John
Taylor of Cross Junction, VA, said a change to 70 mph makes sense.
“The
traffic is already running at that speed. They’re really not increasing
the speed limit. You have to take that into consideration,” Taylor told
Land Line. “You have to be realistic with speed limits, and
the interstate highway system at 70 mph is absolutely not out of line
whatsoever.”
Delegate Bill Carrico, R-Galax, echoed that
point. He pointed out the change would help enable all vehicles to
drive along at speeds they are accustomed to traveling.
“This
is a common-sense reform that will make sure highway traffic moves at a
more uniform speed on Virginia’s highways,” Carrico said in a statement.
Taylor
agreed with the decision by lawmakers to keep all vehicles at the same
speed. He referred to the tireless efforts by the Owner-Operator
Independent Drivers Association to have uniform speeds in all states.
“OOIDA
has fought for years against split speed limits. It’s a proven fact
that having differential speed limits for cars and trucks is
detrimental to safety,” he said.
To view other legislative activities of interest for Virginia in 2010, click here.
– By Keith Goble, state legislative editor
Courtesy of LandLine Magazine
