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Bills to increase Virginia speeds to 70 mph advance

Virginia lawmakers are moving full speed ahead with legislation to allow vehicles to travel faster along some highways throughout the state.

The Virginia Senate voted 29-11 Tuesday, Feb. 2, to approve a bill that would increase the 65 mph speed limit to 70 mph for all vehicles on rural sections of interstates where engineers deemed it safe. The change would also apply to other multilane, divided, limited-access highways and high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

The bill – SB537 – now moves to the House where an identical measure was approved Tuesday on a 71-26 vote. The House bill – HB856 – is on its way to the Senate for further consideration.

One version of the legislation must gain approval from both chambers before it can advance to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s desk for his signature.

The pursuit of higher speeds has the backing of McDonnell. He pledged during his run for governor to pursue faster travel on rural stretches of highway statewide. During his recent State of the Commonwealth Address, he reiterated his desire to see 70 mph speeds implemented on stretches of I-95, I-64, I-77 and I-81. McDonnell pointed out that 32 states already have 70 mph speed limits, and 13 states have speeds set at 75 mph.

McDonnell said today that the modest increase in the speed limit not only will be safe for travelers to arrive at their destinations in a timelier manner, but will also benefit transportation.

“This is an important early step towards our common goal of improving transportation in the Commonwealth,” McDonnell said in a statement.

Virginia truckers appear to be welcoming the thought of traveling more roadways in the state at 70 mph. Owner-operator and OOIDA Life Member John Taylor of Cross Junction, VA, said a change to 70 mph makes sense.

“The traffic is already running at that speed. They’re really not increasing the speed limit. You have to take that into consideration,” Taylor told Land Line . “You have to be realistic with speed limits, and the interstate highway system at 70 mph is absolutely not out of line whatsoever.”

Delegate Bill Carrico, R-Galax, echoed that point. He pointed out the change would help enable all vehicles to drive along at speeds they are accustomed to traveling.

“This is a common-sense reform that will make sure highway traffic moves at a more uniform speed on Virginia’s highways,” Carrico said in a statement.

Taylor agreed with the decision by lawmakers to keep all vehicles at the same speed. He referred to the tireless efforts by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association to have uniform speeds in all states.

“OOIDA has fought for years against split speed limits. It’s a proven fact that having differential speed limits for cars and trucks is detrimental to safety,” he said.

To view other legislative activities of interest for Virginia in 2010, click here .

Editor’s Note: Please share your thoughts with us about the legislation included in this story. Comments may be sent to [email protected] .

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