Kentucky Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on February 6, 2007, to establish a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour for interstate highways. The bill would prohibit the secretary of transportation from increasing any speed limit in excess of 65 miles per hour, except upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, the secretary may increase the speed limit to 70 miles per hour on an interstate highway

The vote was 34 in favor, 2 opposed and 2 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 0 at Senate Journal 0)

Click here to view bill details.

We all like to make good time when we are travelling, and sometimes it seems that the 65 mph limit is, well, limiting. So most of set our speed control at, say 72 or 76 and, generally, these speeds flow with the traffic and are ignored by the traffic officer. Certainly another 5 mph will allow traffic to flow more smoothly and allow us to travel at our comfortable speeds without fear of seeing the flashing lights in our rear view mirrors. The reality is that with the speed limit set at 70, most of us will reset our speed control to, say 77 or maybe 82, or whatever speed we think we can get away with on a long trip. So that we can make good time. Studies and statistics show that the extra 5 mph is going to cost more lives. Along with the loss of loved ones, survivors lose lifetime income of the deceased, and the public pays higher insurance premiums - health, life and liability. And what of the current price of fuel? What of energy efficiency and the effect of higher speeds on the environment? In the 1970's, when we suffered from the first major oil 'shortage', fuel prices skyrocketed; people waited on long lines for limited supplies of gas. In response, speed limits across the country were reduced to save fuel. Granted, vehicles in general are more fuel efficient, but there are millions more on the road than there were 30 years ago. So are we making the wisest choice by raising the speed limit at this time? I think not.

I support raising the maximum speed limit. I also believe though, in the interest of public safety, that the minimum speed limit should be 15 miles per hour under the speed limit. So in a 65MPH zone, the minimum should be 50MPH, and in a 70MPH zone, the minimum should be 55MPH. Additionally, we need to have greater enforcement of "Keep Right Except to Pass". I believe that split speed limits are dangerous. Having trucks flowing at one speed and passenger vehicles at another only serves to clog traffic and create opportunities for wreckless driving, in attempts to maneuver around slower vehicles. Likewise, having a 30MPH discrepancy between the speed limit (70MPH) and minimum speed (40MPH) creates a dangerous scenario. Couple this with the apparent disregard many drivers have for proper yielding and courteous driving, and it creates a more dangerous scenario. I have heard an argument that the minimum needs to remain at 40MPH for coal trucks. If coal trucks, or any other truck, is unable to maintain the flow of traffic, they are creating a moving obstacle, and setting up a dangerous traffic situation. Raising the maximum speed limit to 70MPH is great news. However, I would like to see the minimum speed and yielding items addressed as well.