5/10/05-Gov. Mitch Daniels signed a bill May 6 to increase the speed limit on various roadways in the state.
The new law – previously SB217 – takes effect July 1, but it might take transportation officials longer to decide precisely where the higher limits will be allowed. The Indiana Department of Transportation must pore over highway blueprints to determine which highways can safely handle them.
In general, the new law increases the speed limit to 65 mph for large trucks and 70 mph for all other vehicles on rural interstates and the Indiana Toll Road. Limits on rural stretches of divided, four-lane highways such as U.S. 31 and U.S. 41 will increase for all vehicles to 60 mph if approved by transportation officials.
Current limits are 60 mph for trucks and 65 mph for cars on rural interstates and the toll road and 55 mph for all vehicles on other four-lane roads.
Limits on freeways built to interstate standards, including the U.S. bypass near South Bend, will likely go from 55 mph to 65 mph.
In exchange for higher speeds, drivers pulled over for speeding will pay more in court fees to cover salaries for the state’s judges and prosecutors.
The State Police also will be required to log traffic fatalities that occur on interstates and divided highways so lawmakers will have data to help them evaluate the law’s effect on highway deaths.

4/26/05-State lawmakers voted April 25 to approve a bill that would increase the speed limit on various roadways in the state. It now heads to Gov. Mitch Daniels for his signature.
SB217 calls for increasing the speed limit to 65 mph for large trucks and 70 mph for all other vehicles on rural interstates and the Indiana Toll Road. Limits on rural stretches of divided, four-lane highways would increase for all vehicles to 60 mph.
Current limits are 60 mph for trucks and 65 mph for cars on rural interstates and the toll road and 55 mph for all vehicles on other four-lane roads.
Another provision would boost speeds from 55 mph to 65 mph on four stretches of road totaling about 50 miles.
The affected stretches would be U.S. 20 from the intersection with County Road 17 in Elkhart County to the intersection with U.S. 31 in St. Joseph County; and U.S. 31 from the intersection with U.S. 20 in St. Joseph County to the Indiana-Michigan boundary line.
A provision in the bill would require the Indiana State Police to log traffic fatalities that occur on interstates and divided highways so lawmakers will have data to help them evaluate the measure’s effect on highway deaths. Also, the Indiana Department of Transportation could maintain current speeds on some highways or parts of them.
Another provision was dropped from the final version that would have toughened penalties for road rage.
Drivers are expected to get the green light to drive a little faster starting July 1.
For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.

4/6/05-The House voted 68-25 on April 5 to approve a bill that would increase the speed limits on various roadways in the state.
SB217 now must return to the Senate for approval of changes before heading to Gov. Mitch Daniels.
The Senate version, which passed the upper chamber 34-15, dealt only with increasing the speed limit on rural interstates from 65 mph to 70 mph for cars and from 60 mph to 65 mph for large trucks.
The House added provisions that would increase the speed limit on the Indiana Toll Road to 65 mph for trucks and 70 mph for cars. It also would increase speeds on rural stretches of divided, four-lane highways for all vehicles to 60 mph.
Current limits are 60 mph for trucks and 65 mph for cars on the toll road and 55 mph on four-lane roads.
The four-lane highway provision is intended to target those stretches of highway with design features similar to those of an interstate, such as grade-separated interchanges and wide lanes designed for higher speeds.
Another change made to SB217, sponsored by Sen. Greg Server, R-Evansville, would boost speeds from 55 mph to 65 mph on four stretches of road totaling about 50 miles.
The affected stretches would be U.S. 20 from the intersection of U.S. 20 and County Road 17 in Elkhart County to the intersection of U.S. 20 and U.S. 31 in St. Joseph County; and U.S. 31 from the intersection of U.S. 31 and U.S. 20 in St. Joseph County to the boundary line between Indiana and Michigan.
If signed into law, the Indiana State Police would be responsible for tracking traffic fatalities so lawmakers will have data to help them evaluate the measure’s effect on highway deaths.
Senators also added a provision to the bill that would toughen penalties for road rage.
It would create a specific charge for aggressive driving for motorists who have the intent to harass or intimidate another person in a way that risks property damage or bodily injury.
Engaging in at least three acts such as honking your horn, tailgating and flashing headlights while driving could result in up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Violators could face felony charges if they injure or kill someone.
If senators don’t go along with the House changes, conferees from both chambers could be appointed to work on a compromise.
For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.

3/31/05-The House Public Policy and Veterans Affairs Committee voted 7-2 Wednesday, March 30, to advance a measure to increase the speed limit on several highways in the state.
SB217, sponsored by Sen. Greg Server, R-Evansville, would raise the speed limit to 65 mph for large trucks and 70 mph for all other vehicles on the Indiana Toll Road and interstates outside areas with populations of at least 50,000.
The bill, which now heads to the full House for further consideration, also would increase speeds on other four-lane divided highways to 60 mph.
Current limits are 60 mph for trucks and 65 mph for cars on rural interstates and 55 mph on other four-lane roads for all vehicles.
The four-lane highway provision is intended to target those stretches of highway with design features similar to those of an interstate, such as grade-separated interchanges and wide lanes designed for higher speeds.
It was added prior to the panel vote after being stripped from a separate bill – SB127 – that replaced the language to mandate statewide observance of daylight-savings time.
Another provision added to Server’s bill would boost speeds from 55 mph to 65 mph on four stretches of road totaling about 50 miles.
The affected stretches would be U.S. 20 from the intersection of U.S. 20 and County Road 17 in Elkhart County to the intersection of U.S. 20 and U.S. 31 in St. Joseph County; and U.S. 31 from the intersection of U.S. 31 and U.S. 20 in St. Joseph County to the boundary line between Indiana and Michigan.
If signed into law, the Indiana State Police would be responsible for tracking traffic fatalities so lawmakers will have data to help them evaluate the measure’s effect on highway deaths.
Also on Wednesday, lawmakers added a provision to the bill that would toughen penalties for road rage.
It would create a specific charge for aggressive driving for motorists who have the intent to harass or intimidate another person in a way that risks property damage or bodily injury.
Such acts as honking your horn, tailgating and flashing headlights while driving could result in up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Violators could face felony charges if they injure or kill someone.
If approved by the full House, it would head back to the Senate for approval of House changes before it could go to the governor’s desk.
For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.

2/11/05-The Senate voted 34-15 on Feb. 10 in favor of a bill that would increase the speed limits on rural interstates in the state.
SB217, sponsored by Sen. Greg Server, R-Evansville, would raise the speed limit from 60 mph to 65 mph for tractor-trailers and from 65 mph to 70 mph for all other vehicles on interstates outside areas with populations of at least 50,000.
The bill has been forwarded to the House for consideration. For bills status, call (317) 232-9856.

2/2/05-The Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee voted 6-2 on Wednesday, Feb. 2, to advance a measure that would increase the speed limit on rural interstates in the state.
SB217, sponsored by Sen. Greg Server, R-Evansville, would raise the speed limit from 60 mph to 65 mph for large trucks and from 65 mph to 70 mph for all other vehicles on interstates outside areas with a population of at least 50,000.
The Indiana Department of Transportation would be responsible for posting signs on roadways reflecting changes in state law.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for further consideration. For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.

1/26/05-A bill in the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee would increase the speed limit for all drivers traveling on rural interstates in the state.
SB217, offered by Sen. Greg Server, R-Evansville, would raise the speed limit from 60 mph to 65 mph for large trucks and from 65 mph to 70 mph for all other vehicles on interstates outside areas with a population of at least 50,000.
The Indiana Department of Transportation would be responsible for posting signs on roadways reflecting changes in state law.
For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.