Bill to increase Ohio speed limits passes state panel

Feb. 21, 2012

A bill that would raise speed limits on Ohio Interstate highways to 70 mph passed a state House committee last Wednesday with bipartisan support. The increased speed limit would apply to both cars and trucks. The Ohio Turnpike, which is run independently, raised its speed limit to 70 mph in April.

A provision in the bill that would have limited the use of the left lanes to drivers exiting or passing slower vehicles was stripped from the bill before passage because the State Highway Patrol expressed concern about enforcement, according to a report in the Columbus Dispatch.

Thirty-five states — including West Virginia, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky, which border Ohio — all have speed limits at or exceeding 70 mph on some segments of their highways.

“For people driving through Ohio, I think it’s an unfair burden for them to have to drop their speed and then go to another state, and it goes back up,” said Rep. Courtney Combs, R-Hamilton, chairman of the House committee that introduced the bill.

A recent poll showed 66% of Ohioans support a speed limit of 70 mph or higher, Combs said. “I expect that when it goes to the full House, it will pass,” he said.

The Ohio Trucking Assn. has opposed the bill, citing concerns such as safety and fuel consumption. However, statistics from the Ohio turnpike and other states don’t show a noticeable change in accidents and injuries when speed limits increase, Combs said.

About the Author

Deborah Whistler

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

The Road Ahead: 2025 Trucking and Fleet Insights

Discover how fleet operators are impacted by challenges like driver onboarding delays and complex compliance, and the critical need for technology to boost efficiency and cut ...

Driving Growth: How to Manage More Freight

Ready to grow your trucking business? Whether you have 25 or 200 trucks, this guide offers practical tips and success stories to help you expand with confidence. Discover how ...

How to Maximize Fleet Management with Vehicle Bypass

Join us on February 18th to learn how truck weigh station bypass systems boost fleet performance and driver satisfaction.

Optimizing your fleet safety program using AI

Learn how AI supports fleet safety programs with tools for compliance monitoring, driver coaching and incident analysis to reduce risks and improve efficiency.