4/24/01 - Two bills to eliminate split speed limits in the Buckeye State are making their way through the legislature. The bills delete language from state law that differentiates between speed limits for cars and any other type of vehicle.
HB55, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Williams of Akron, and SB51, sponsored by Sen. Lynn Wachtmann of Napoleon, have been assigned to respective transportation committees. Lawmakers heard proponent and opponent testimony on SB51 in late April.
The general information number for the Ohio General Assembly is (614) 466-8842. The session ends in December 2002.

3/16/01 - An Ohio bill to eliminate the state's split speed limit has gone through three rounds of testimony over the past few weeks and is nearing a vote. Further testimony on HB55 is planned for early next week as well as a possible vote by the Transportation Committee to send the bill to the Speaker of the House for approval and then onto the House for passage.
During testimony held earlier this week, representatives of the Ohio State highway Patrol, Ohio Association of Sheriffs and the American Automobile Association (AAA) spoke in opposition to the bill. Truck driver and OOIDA member Joan Kasicki, who testified at the hearing, told Land Line, "The only way that trucks can hold down the speed of cars is if trucks are rolling roadblocks on the highway. That's crazy."
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Bryan Williams, as well as trucking officials, provided copies of studies reporting the dangers of split speeds. His collection of evidence was provided by groups throughout the nation that have studies split speeds. Among the studies cited was an Arizona DOT study from last year that found that a uniform speed limit reduced the number of potential conflicts and that split limits raises that potential. Also cited was a 1995 Ohio State highway patrol study that Rep. Williams interprets as meaning different speeds were more of a hazard than the overall speed rate. Despite his apparent overwhelming evidence suggesting uniform speed limits are safer for all drivers, the opposition refuted the findings.
A spokesman for the Ohio Association of Sheriffs said reports that indicate split speed limits to be unsafe are inaccurate. He argues that the reports shouldn't be considered because of bias. "He provided no evidence for his comments," Kasicki said. "He appeared to be unprepared for any rebuttal, so he just wanted to dismiss everything."
A spokesman for Rep. Williams office told Land Line "the opposition was encouraged to bring evidence to the meeting supporting split speeds, but they were unable to come up with anything. They resorted to dismissing our sources because they all showed split speeds to be unsafe."
Rep. Williams' office was surprised that AAA showed opposition of the bill. "An earlier study commissioned by AAA from the early 90s showed equal speeds for all vehicles is safer," the spokesman said. "All AAA said was that they have chosen to distance themselves from the study."
Despite the recent progress that supporters of the legislation have made, motor carriers and their associations are frequently opponents of uniform speed limits. Larry Davis, president of the Ohio Trucking Association, told Land Line, he doesn't see the legislation becoming law. Davis said OTA has members that are both for and against split speed limits, so he said the group will remain neutral. Neutrality is often interpreted by lawmakers as support for the status quo.
Ohio truckers, to contact lawmakers call (614) 466-2500.

2/28/01 - Two bills to eliminate the state's split speed limit have now been introduced in both the Ohio House of Representives and in the state's Senate. The House has heard sponsor testimony and will hear proponent testimony on March 6 at 3:00 p.m. in the House Transportation Committee in Columbus.
"The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association urges that truckers attend and say a few words in support of HB55, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Williams, or send letters to the committee members. SB51, sponsored by Sen. Lynn Wachtmann, awaits sponsor testimony."
OOIDA also encourages all Ohio truckers to call the offices of the Transportation Committee members, and to contact their representative, and urge them to support HB55. OOIDA believes this is a great opportunity to get the bill passed, but it needs truckers to contact their lawmakers to help ensure the bill's passage.
For more information on how to contact your elected representatives, visit www.ooida.com.