Ohio lawmaker pushing for speed limit increase on state's highways

A recent proposal by Representative Ron Maag, a republican from Salem Township, called for an increase in the speed limit on Ohio's interstate highways to 70 miles per hour, which is a 5 mph increase over the current speed limit.

This recent proposal seems to have some traction because the independently run Ohio Turnpike already has a speed limit of 70 mph.

"To be consistent, the other interstates should be 70," Maag told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "And neighboring states - Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia - have 70. It's just important to be consistent."

The proposed increase has raised questions about truck driving safety, given that the Ohio Trucking Association opposed the speed limit increase on the Turnpike, according to the Enquirer.

However, Heavy Duty Trucking magazine referenced data from Ohio turnpike officials, which found that after the state's turnpike speed limit went up to 65 mph in 2004, the accident rate involving commercial vehicles fell 6.4 percent, while the fatality rate decreased by 15.3 percent.

Ohio lawmaker pushing for speed limit increase on state's highways

Friday, January 13th, 2012