7/18/05-Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed a bill into law July 14 that could widen the speed gap for cars and trucks on Oregon’s rural interstate highways. The effort breezed through the Legislature.
Under the law, local officials may request a change in speeds within a specific area. ODOT would then review any requested change and follow it up with a public meeting and updated speed study in the affected area.
The new rule, previously HB3252, would allow for truck speed limits to increase from 55 mph to as much as 65 mph while increasing car speeds from 65 mph to 70 mph on certain sections of rural interstates.
However, it leaves the door open for car speeds to increase while truck speeds stay the same.
The latest version of the speed limit rule differs from an earlier one in that a rate lower than 65 mph could be posted for tractor-trailers and other large vehicles if safety conditions warrant a slower speed.
The Oregon Transportation Commission would have the option of setting a 65, 60 or 55 mph limit for trucks, Cooney said. They did not have this flexibility in the first bill.
Kulongoski signed that measure into law in 2003. However, a study conducted by the Transportation Commission later advised against boosting the current speed limit for cars and trucks on rural interstates.
The study said that while it was reasonable to raise car limits to 70 mph, “the engineering analysis supports a speed limit of 60 mph for trucks and not a higher limit.”
Because the two speeds were linked in the rule, the commission decided not to bump the limits.

7/13/05-Senators approved a bill 25-2 that could widen the speed gap for cars and trucks on rural interstate highways.
The bill now heads to Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s desk. It passed the House 40-1 this spring.
The bill would allow for truck speed limits to increase from 55 mph to as much as 65 mph while increasing car speeds from 65 mph to 70 mph on certain sections of rural interstates.
However, the bill leaves the door open for car speeds to increase while truck speeds stay the same.
The latest version of the speed limit bill differs from an earlier one in that a rate lower than 65 mph could be posted for tractor-trailers and other large vehicles if safety conditions warrant a slower speed.
Kulongoski signed that measure into law in 2003. However, a study conducted by the Transportation Commission later advised against boosting the current speed limit for cars and trucks on rural interstates.
The study said that while it was reasonable to raise car limits to 70 mph, “the engineering analysis supports a speed limit of 60 mph for trucks and not a higher limit.”
Because the two speeds were linked in the new law, the commission decided not to bump the limits.
If the measure becomes law, local governments would be able to request a change in speeds within their jurisdictions. ODOT would review any requested change and follow it up with a public meeting and updated speed study in the affected region.

6/24/05-A bill in the Senate Rules Committee could widen the speed gap for cars and trucks on rural interstate highways.
HB3252 would allow for truck speed limits to increase from 55 mph to 65 mph while increasing car speeds from 65 mph to 70 mph on certain sections of rural interstates.
However, the bill leaves the door open for car speeds to increase while truck speeds stay the same.
It passed the House on a 40-1 vote last month. If approved by senators, it would move to Gov. Ted Kulongoski for his signature.
The latest version of the speed limit bill differs from an earlier one in that a rate lower than 65 mph could be posted for tractor-trailers and other large vehicles if safety conditions warrant a slower speed.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed that measure into law in 2003. However, a study conducted by the Transportation Commission later advised against boosting the current speed limit for cars and trucks on rural interstates.
The study said that while it was reasonable to raise car limits to 70 mph, “the engineering analysis supports a speed limit of 60 mph for trucks and not a higher limit.”
Because the two speeds were linked in the new law, the commission decided not to bump the limits.
HB3252 would allow the Oregon Department of Transportation decide if a stretch of road would accommodate an increase in the truck speed limit to 60 or 65 mph. If the department determines a speed increase is not safe, the truck limit would stay at 55 mph.
For bill status, call (503) 986-1180.

5/16/05-The House Transportation Committee voted 6-1 May 6 to advance a bill that could widen the speed gap for cars and trucks on rural interstate highways.
HB3252 would allow for truck speed limits to increase from 55 mph to 65 mph while increasing car speeds from 65 mph to 70 mph on certain sections of rural interstates. However, the bill leaves the door open for car speeds to increase while truck speeds stay the same.
The latest version of the speed limit bill differs from an earlier one in that a rate lower than 65 mph could be posted for tractor-trailers and other large vehicles if safety conditions warrant a slower speed.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed that measure into law in 2003. However, a study conducted by the Transportation Commission later advised against boosting the current speed limit for cars and trucks on rural interstates.
The study said that while it was reasonable to raise car limits to 70 mph, “the engineering analysis supports a speed limit of 60 mph for trucks and not a higher limit.”
Because the two speeds were linked in the new law, the commission decided not to bump the limits.
HB3252 would allow the Oregon Department of Transportation decide if a stretch of road would accommodate an increase in the truck speed limit to 60 or 65 mph. If the department determines a speed increase is not safe, the truck limit would stay at 55 mph.
It now moves to the full House for consideration. If approved, it would go the Senate.
For bill status, call (503) 986-1180.

5/4/05-A bill in the House Transportation Committee would increase the speed limit for cars and trucks on rural interstate highways.
HB3252 would increase the speed limit on certain sections of rural interstates to 60 mph for trucks and 70 mph for cars. Those limits are currently 55 and 65, respectively.
For the past several sessions, similar efforts have fallen short.
In 2003, lawmakers approved a bill authorizing trucks to travel 65 mph and cars to go 70 mph on rural interstates. The law didn’t directly increase speeds, instead leaving it up to the Oregon Department of Transportation to determine whether it would be safe to increase the speed on a specific stretch of highway.
The department later concluded raising the speed limit would result in an increased number of deaths and injuries.
For bill status, call (503) 986-1180.