10/9/03-Opponents of eliminating the split speed limit had their opportunity to be heard Oct. 8 in Columbus.
Testifying for the State Patrol was Col. Paul McClellan, superintendent. McClellan said the patrol opposed a change in state law because it would increase vehicle-stopping distances. He said that 74 percent of tickets issued to truckers were for speeds of 66 mph and above and another 2,500 tickets were written for speeds of 75 mph and above.
He also said the number of trucks involved in fatal crashes in the state declined from 201 in 1995 to 161 in 2001.
Also testifying against eliminating the differential speed limit was the Ohio Conference of AAA clubs and Columbus truck driver Robert Vermatten. Vermatten said most trucks could run 65 mph now without problems from the patrol.
Ohio has the fifth highest volume of truck traffic in the United States.
“ The patrol is using data to its maximum advantage,” said Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. “And there’s a little spin involved, too.
“ For instance, the 20 percent reduction in truck crashes did occur in Ohio, but not really over the seven-year period they imply,” he said. “Fatality accidents with truckers were pretty flat from 1993 through 1999. Truck accidents went down in the state 20 percent in 2000 and 2001. The split speed limit was in effect during all those years.
“ The more likely reason is economic activity,” Spencer said. “The years 2000 and 2001 were pretty tough for truckers. Many trucks were repossessed. Other trucks were parked because of the slow economy.
“ Likewise, the patrol squeezes all the mileage possible out of truck stopping distances,” he said. “While it is certainly true that truck stopping distances increase as the truck goes faster, it is also true that cars are three to four times more likely to run into the backs of trucks. And no one is talking about stopping distances for cars.”
No additional hearings are scheduled at this time, but there could be one more in November, Spencer said. Another hearing could be helpful in addressing some of the issues raised by the patrol. For one, a uniform 65 mph speed limit on interstates and the Ohio Turnpike would encourage more trucks to use those roads instead of other less safe alternate routes.
“ The patrol is claiming that it is only owner-operators (and not trucking companies) that want this change so they can drive faster and make more money,” Spencer said. “So it is important that lawmakers hear from trucking company owners who want a uniform speed limit. If you own a small fleet, let your lawmakers know you are a trucking company in support of the change. If you are leased to an Ohio-based carrier, encourage that carrier to let lawmakers know you support a uniform speed limit.”
If you would like to testify in support of SB94 and HB186, contact Angel Burnell at 1-800-444-5791. And let your lawmakers know that you support the legislation.

6/10/03-A Senate panel met June 10 to hear comments on ending split speed limits in the state. Making a robust case for the demise of split speeds were OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer, former top trucking official Julie Cirillo and OOIDA member Dick Chambers of Cridersville, OH.
The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee wanted feedback on a Senate bill introduced last month that would eliminate provisions in Ohio law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 55 mph – 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under SB94, all vehicles would have a 65 mph speed limit. Highways in urban areas would remain at 55 mph for big rigs.
OOIDA’s Todd Spencer testified the existing policy of requiring trucks to drive at speeds 10 mph slower than other vehicles does not promote safety on the highways. Spencer said it did exactly the opposite, requiring that vehicles be constantly in conflict with each other.
“ Lane changes and passing are constantly required to avoid crashes,” Spencer said. “While some may suggest that having slower speed limits for trucks can somehow promote safety, there is much research to suggest otherwise. Forty states currently have uniform speed limits for all vehicles using their highways. Additionally, the Legislature in Illinois voted for uniform speed limits in its current session by wide margins, and the bill has been sent to the governor for his signature.
“ Senate Bill 94 is not about trucks driving faster; it is about easing congestion, road rage and minimizing the opportunities for vehicles of all sizes to come together and create a crash. This legislation seeks to promote uniform speed limits on Ohio’s Interstate System, which happen to be the safest roads in Ohio.
“ By having one speed limit that all vehicles comply with, you minimize the need for passing, lane changes, tailgating and other maneuvers that create opportunities for drivers to make mistakes. This isn’t physics or rocket science. It’s simple common sense that highway engineers have known and followed for decades.”
Julie Cirillo, former assistant administrator and chief safety officer for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, told those gathered that research she had conducted on the safety benefits of the Interstate System showed that “the system saves 8,000 lives per year due to access control, wider lanes, shoulders and safe operating speeds. In fact the Interstate Highway System experiences accident and fatality rates two to five times less than the primary system it replaced,” she said.
She referenced research conducted in the early 1960s that first reported the effect of operating speeds on accidents.
“ In 1963, David Solomon reported that deviation from the mean speed of traffic in both the negative and positive direction contributed significantly to the occurrence of accidents. In fact, Solomon showed that vehicles traveling 10 to 15 mph slower than the mean speed of traffic were much more likely to be involved in accidents than vehicles traveling slightly above the mean speed. Solomon presented his results in the now famous ‘U-shaped’ curve, which relates variance from mean speed to involvement in accidents.
“ Solomon’s study was conducted on two- and four-lane main rural highways. A similar analysis was conducted on the interstate that has higher operating speeds. The data for this study was collected by 20 state highway departments, including Ohio. The analysis showed the same ‘U-shaped’ curve for interstate highways and generally lower accident involvement rates, again confirming the safety benefits of the interstate system. The analysis also showed the variance in speeds on the interstate was between 5 to 7 mph, approximately half that of non-interstate facilities.
“ The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration subsequently contracted with Indiana University to conduct a speed-safety study. This study confirmed the ‘U-shaped’ curve established by Solomon and the interstate study.”
Ohio truckdriver and OOIDA member Dick Chambers told the committee, “By raising the limits on the major interstate systems, the state would give truckdrivers a greater incentive to drive on the safest roads in Ohio. Our interstate highways have limited access, are wider, have banked curves and, as many of you know, were designed for speeds in excess of 65 mph.”
A House Transportation and Public Safety Committee hearing to discuss uniform speeds is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11. Spencer, Cirillo and Chambers are scheduled to testify.

6/2/03-The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee is reviewing legislation to rid the state of split speed limits.
SB94, introduced by Sen. Lynn Wachtmann, R-Napoleon, would eliminate provisions in Ohio law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 55 mph – 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would have a 65 mph speed limit. Highways in urban areas would remain at 55 mph for big rigs.
For bill status, call (614) 466-8842.

5/21/03-Sen. Lynn Wachtmann has introduced the state’s second bill in a week calling for the end of split speed limits.
SB94 would eliminate provisions in Ohio law that set up a slower speed for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds.
Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 55 mph – 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. Under the new bill, all vehicles would have a 65 mph speed limit. Highways in urban areas would remain at 55 mph for big rigs.
Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, introduced identical legislation – HB186 – in the House on May 14.
“ Studies indicate that highways are safer when all motorists travel at the same general rate of speed,” Wachtmann, R-Napoleon, said in a statement. “Differences in speed between trucks and cars create unsafe highways.”
The measure has yet to be sent to a committee. For bill status, call (614) 466-8842.