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Effort to increase Virginia speeds to 70 mph advances

A Virginia Senate panel has advanced a bill that would boost the speed limit on some highways throughout the state.

The Senate Transportation Committee voted 10-4 Thursday, Jan. 21, 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. It now awaits consideration on the Senate floor.

Currently, cars and trucks are allowed to travel 70 mph only on portions of Interstate 85 in southern Virginia.

The legislation – SB537 – has the backing of Gov. Bob McDonnell. He pledged during his run for governor to pursue faster travel on rural stretches of highway statewide. During his State of the Commonwealth Address this week, 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.

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. They’re lessening your chances of getting a speeding ticket by being able to run 70,” Taylor told Land Line. “I have no quarrel with the speed limit being 70 mph in rural areas.”

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.

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

OOIDA has issued a Call to Action encouraging Virginia truckers to contact their senators to express that whatever the limit is it should be the same for all vehicles.

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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