|
 A state lawmaker wants to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on
rural Illinois interstates because he says it will make them safer, but others
say more traffic deaths will result.
State Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, filed Senate Bill 2565 to raise the
speed limit to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas. Oberweis said the
increase will make driving in rural areas safer with fewer drivers weaving in
and out of traffic. He also is sponsoring Senate Bill 2564 to raise the speed
limit on highways outside urban areas to a maximum of 60 mph from 55 mph.
This is not the first time Oberweis has pushed for increasing Illinois speed
limits. In 2014, he garnered enough support to override former Gov. Pat Quinn’s
veto to raise the speed limit on rural interstates from 65 mph to the current 70
mph.
Opponents argue the bill will make Illinois’ roadways unsafe.
[ to
top of second column] |
WICS-TV in Springfield reported there were 10,572
more crashes in Illinois last time the speed limit was raised. The
Institute for Highway Safety found there is an 8% increase in fatal
traffic accidents for every 5 mph increase in the speed limit. And
the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says speed
is a factor in 39% of fatal crashes in Illinois. The national
average is 28%.
The American Automobile Association, or AAA,
released a statement to WICS opposing the bill. “This would be a
dangerous step in the wrong direction, putting Illinois’ recent
gains in traffic safety into serious jeopardy,” AAA stated.
On the other hand, many motorists drive above the posted speed limit
on a daily basis. A study by AAA found 48% of drivers admit they
have driven 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway in the past
month.
Both of Oberweis’ bills were assigned to a transportation
subcommittee on Feb. 18.
Click here to respond to the editor about this article
|
