Ohio Truckers Seek 65-mph Speed Limit
Truck drivers in Ohio are asking state lawmakers to raise the highway speed limit for large trucks to a 65 mph limit, matching the speed limit for passenger cars, saying such a change would help make roadways safer, the Associated Press reported.
Tractor-trailers are limited to 55 mph on interstate highways in the state, except on the Ohio Turnpike, which boosted trucks’ limit to 65 mph in 2004 so truckers would not take other routes, AP reported Saturday.
The Ohio Trucking Association, which had previously been neutral on the issue, is now pushing for a uniform speed limit, arguing it would make roads safer for all drivers to have the same limit, AP said.
Last year, American Trucking Association said it would push for a uniform, 65-mph speed limit for all vehicles as part of its highway-bill strategy.
Ohio is one of 11 states that have different speed limits for cars and trucks, AP said, citing laws in California, Illinois and Oregon that also limit trucks to 55 mph while autos faster limits.
Trucks may travel at up to 75 mph in some western states, including Colorado and Arizona, where AP said highway officials saw no problems with cars and trucks moving at the same faster rate.
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