9/3/03-HB2501, an effort to raise the speed limit on the state’s major thoroughfares, has died.
The measure, which passed the House in April, failed to gain passage in the Senate before the session ended Aug. 27.
HB2501 called for giving the state Transportation Department the option of increasing the speed limit of 55 mph for trucks and 65 mph for cars on the state’s freeways. The measure would have allowed new maximums of 65 mph for trucks and 70 mph for cars.
The bill would have authorized ODOT to consult with other state and local police, transportation and highway officials and interest groups and to decide if the speed limit for a particular stretch of freeway should be changed.
A similar bill – HB2661 – has been sent to the governor.

6/17/03-A Senate panel has approved a bill to raise the speed limit on the state’s major thoroughfares.
The measure, which passed the House in April, was approved by the Senate Committee on Transportation and Economic Development on June 12. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
HB2501 gives the Oregon Department of Transportation the option of increasing the speed limit of 55 mph for trucks and 65 mph for cars on the state’s freeways. The measure would allow new maximums of 65 mph for trucks and 70 mph for cars.
The bill would authorize ODOT to consult with other state and local police, transportation and highway officials and interest groups and to decide if the speed limit for a particular stretch of freeway should be changed.
For bill status, call (503) 986-1180.

4/9/03-HB2501 would raise the speed limit on major thoroughfares in the state. However, it still includes split speeds.
The bill gives the Oregon Department of Transportation the option of increasing the speed limit of 55 mph for trucks and 65 mph for cars on the state’s freeways. The measure would allow new maximums of 65 mph for trucks and 70 mph for cars.
The bill was amended to reduce the proposed hike in car speeds from 75 mph.
HB2501 passed the House by a 43-14 vote on April 7. It now heads to the Senate.
It is vital you contact your senator to let them know the importance of uniform speeds to road safety.
For contact information, visit www.leg.state.or.us/senate/senateset.htm and click on “Senator Information.” You can also call OOIDA’s membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they’ll look it up. For bill status, call (503) 986-1180.

3/12/03-HB2501 would raise the speed limit on major thoroughfares in the state. However, it still includes split speeds.
The bill gives the Oregon Department of Transportation the option of increasing the speed limit of 55 mph for trucks and 65 mph for cars on isolated, wide-open stretches of highway. The measure would allow new maximums of 65 mph for trucks and 75 mph for cars.
HB2501 is in the House Transportation Committee. It is vital you contact the committee members to let them know the importance of uniform speeds to road safety.
House Transportation Committee members to contact:

Rep. Alan Brown, chair
Rep. Terry Beyer, vice-chair
Rep. John Mabrey, vice-chair
Rep. Jackie Dingfelder
Rep. George Gilman
Rep. Mitch Greenlick
Rep. Cliff Zauner

For contact information, visit www.leg.state.or.us/house/houseset.htm and click on "Representative Information." You can also call OOIDA's membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up.

2/3/03-Rep. Randy Miller (R-Lake Oswego) has once again introduced a bill to raise the speed limit on major thoroughfares.
Rep. Miller has tried and failed several times to introduce similar bills, but all were blocked by former Gov. John Kitzhaber, an emergency room doctor who feared faster speeds would lead to more highway deaths.
Oregon's speed limit, including interstate highways, is 65 mph for cars and 55 mph for trucks.
HB2501 gives the state Transportation Department the option of raising the speed limit on isolated, wide-open stretches such as U.S. Highway 20 between Bend and Burns.
The legislation would allow new maximums of 65 mph for trucks and 75 mph for cars - but only after engineering and traffic experts evaluate what is "reasonable and safe" for a particular highway.
Oregon is one of only two states (Iowa) west of the Mississippi River with speed limits below 70 mph, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The bill has yet to be assigned to a committee. For bill status, call (503) 986-1180.