Skip to content

Proposal Would Raise Ohio Speed Limit

An Ohio lawmaker has introduced a bill that would raise the speed limit for all vehicles on the state’s interstate highways from 65 to 70 mph, following a similar move by the Ohio Turnpike.

Ron Maag introduced H.B. 395, which would change state law to increase the speed limit on interstate freeways from 65 to 70 mph for all vehicles and limit the use of the left-hand lane of interstate freeways.

As a report in the Cincinnati Enquirer points out, a similar attempt in 2009 failed. But the fact that the Ohio Turnpike recently voted to raise its speed limit to 70 mph could give the bill a better chance this year.

The reasoning behind the Turnpike move was to move traffic onto the Turnpike, which is designed for higher speeds, and off the rural, parallel routes.

Following the 2004 speed limit increase to 65 mph for all vehicles on the Ohio Turnpike, the long-term data shows that the accident rate involving commercial vehicles dropped by 6.4%, and more importantly, the fatality rate decreased by 15.3%, according to a release from turnpike officials.

Maag has said that other state interstates should be the same limit to be consistent, and that the speed limit in neighboring states is already 70.

The Ohio Turnpike Commission voted 4-1 in April to increase the speed limit for all vehicles on the 241-mile turnpike, which crosses northern Ohio mostly as I-80. The state DOT and the Ohio Trucking Association opposed that increase.

In addition to raising the speed limit, the bill would prohibit driving in the left-hand lane of an interstate highway in the state except when exiting the freeway, overtaking and passing a slower vehicle, or allowing other vehicles to enter the right-hand lane of the right-hand roadway, or “when traffic or road conditions exist that would make operation of the vehicle in the right-hand lane unsafe.”

Maag is the primary sponsor, but the bill has seven cosponsors.

Printer Friendly Version
Email This Story
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Highways: Related News

1/13/2012 – Proposal Would Raise Ohio Speed Limit

An Ohio lawmaker has introduced a bill that would raise the speed limit for all vehicles on the state’s interstate highways from 65 to 70 mph, following a similar move by the Ohio Turnpike….
More

1/10/2012 – U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $1.6 billion in Funding for U.S.
Roads and Bridges


Ray Lahood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, announced Monday that almost $1.6 billion in funding will go toward the repair of U.S. roads and bridges that were damaged by natural disasters….
More

1/9/2012 – Highway Funding Climbing Legislative Ladder, More States Eyeing Tax Hikes

The declining state of roads and bridges, and burgeoning congestion is becoming more difficult to ignore, and several state legislatures are now openly discussing the likelihood of hiking fuel taxes….
More

1/6/2012 – Pennsylvania Turnpike in Danger of Becoming Insolvent

Pennsylvania Auditor General, Jack Wagner, says the State General Assembly must amend or appeal a rule requiring the Turnpike Commission to provide $450 million a year in infrastructure funding to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation….
More

12/29/2011 – Maryland Hikes Truck Tolls January 1

Effective 12:01 a.m. on Sunday Jan. 1, 2012, new toll rates and other changes take effect at Maryland’s toll facilities….
More

12/28/2011 – Frustrated Montreal-area Truckers Apply Congestion Surcharges

Truckers in Montreal, Que. have begun charging customers traffic surcharges to compensate for increased operating costs….
More

12/27/2011 – Maryland Announces Additional Emergency Truck Parking During Winter Storms

MDOT has released a list of park and ride lots truckers can use during snow storms of six inches or more instead of parking along highway ramps and shoulders….
More

12/27/2011 – North Carolina DOT Completes I-40 Widening Project

Raleigh area drivers are enjoying a faster commute and smoother drive thanks to the completion of a $49 million highway widening project recently completed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation — on time and on budget….
More

12/27/2011 – PETA Urging Memorials for Animals Killed in Highway Crashes

The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants to erect highway memorials to the victims” of highway crashes involving animals….
More

12/21/2011 – Poll Finds 77 Percent of Americans Oppose Raising the Gas Tax

A majority of Americans believe new transportation projects should be paid for with user-fees instead of tax increases, according to a new national Reason-Rupe poll of 1,200 adults on cell phones and land lines….
More

12/21/2011 – Research Could Lead to Fewer Accident-Prone Intersections

The difference between an intersection controlled by flashing lights and one controlled by a stop sign can play a big role in accident prevention, according to a new study by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin….
More

12/19/2011 – ATA Supports Grimm/Lautenberg Commuter Protection Act Bill

Last week, Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Rep. Michael Grimm introduced a bill to would restore the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ability to determine whether toll hikes are reasonable, and give the Department authority to prescribe more reasonable tolls….
More

12/16/2011 – TIGER III Produces $511 Million for 46 Projects

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the funding grants on Thursday, months ahead of schedule, so communities can get started on job-creating infrastructure projects….
More

12/9/2011 – DOT Green Lights I-5 Columbia River Crossing Project

In a Record of Decision signed Dec. 7 by The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, the two agencies have approved a new river crossing over the Columbia River, and a series of improvements to the I-5 corridor….
More

12/8/2011 – Montana DOT Begins Using Salt Brine, Limits Use of Magnesium Chloride

Officials say salt brine is a less expensive and less corrosive alternative to magnesium chloride, and it’s more effective than pure rock salt. It’s already in use in the Kalispell and Whitefish areas as well as Missoula, Helena, and Butte….
More

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
We'll deliver tax strategies to your inbox from our CPA firm.
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.