Ohio Trucking Group Opposes Increasing State Speed Limit to 70mph

Larry Davis, president of the OTA, says that they think "the best speed is 65", and that it's both a safety and economic issue. He says:

“It’s a lot more economical. You get half a mile less per gallon roughly from 65 to 70. And when you’re talking 300 gals. every time you fill your truck, it amounts to a good piece of money.”

But, Davis says that OTAs main concern is in having all vehicles going the same speed on the interstates:

“We supported the speed change (from 55 mph) to 65 (in 2009) because it made everybody run the same limit. We feel that all the vehicles ought to go the same speed, whatever that speed is, so you aren’t having them cut in and out like you do when you have differential speed limits.”

Rep. Ron Maag (R-Salem Twp.) recently introduced the state legislation. He did so mainly because states that border Ohio - Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and West Virginia - all have speed limits of 70mph. The Ohio Turnpike, which is independently operated, also increased its speed limit to 70mph last spring.

Explaining his decision to introduce the legislation, Maag said:

“Our roads were designed for that speed 40 years ago. We’ve gotten better in our cars and equipment and tires and brakes, and to me it just makes sense."

So far though, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio Department of Transportation have not endorsed the increase, and right now the legislation is simply an idea or proposal.

Steve Faulkner, press secretary for ODOT, said:

“At this point, the idea to increase the speed on Ohio’s highways is simply that — an idea. As the measure makes its way through the legislature, ODOT is likely to monitor its progress and engage in the legislation debate at the appropriate time, if needed.”