OOIDA Call to Action - Wyoming Members
January 20, 2005

Attention, Wyoming truckers! Two bills before the state Legislature would slow trucks down on the state's interstates.

The first bill - SF126 - would restrict large trucks to 65 mph on interstate highways. All other vehicles would continue to travel at the current 75 mph limit.

The bill would also bring more harsh penalties for truckers found traveling in excess of 80 mph on the same roadways.

It would make driving more than 15 mph over the proposed truck speed limit a serious offense. Two serious offenses over three years would result in the trucker's license being temporarily suspended.

SF126 passed out of committee Thursday, Jan. 20. The bill's next stop is the Senate floor where it could come up for consideration as early as Monday, Jan. 24.

[UPDATE: On Jan. 28, senators rejected the bill -- SF126 -- that called for adopting split speed limits in the state. The full Senate vote was 15-15.]

The second bill - HB212 - calls for truckers traveling on interstates to slow to 65 mph "when there is evidence of moisture on the roadway."

Violators could face a fine of $100 if found to be driving in excess of 70 mph with any sign of moisture present. Other vehicles would be allowed to continue to drive at the current limit.

HB212 is before the Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee.

Both measures reportedly were introduced in response to recent accidents involving tractor-trailers along I-80 in the state.

It is important you contact your senator and members of the Transportation Committee to discuss the issue.

Speaking to Wyoming truckers, OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer shared these concerns:

"You guys may very well be far more familiar with the circumstances of these accidents and the characteristics of how drivers drive on Wyoming highways than I am, but here are the issues I see: If trucks are violating the speed limit, obviously it's an enforcement issue. That enforcement issue is not made better by lowering the speed limit. It's probably made worse. The focus should be on enforcement. If there are drivers driving recklessly, it's not a speed limit issue, it's a reckless driving issue. That's what the focus should be.

"In regard to having a slower speed for trucks when it's raining: that makes no sense at all. A truck will nearly always have greater traction than a car on a wet or snowy road. If a speed limit reduction is justified for trucks, it should be justified for cars as well," Spencer said.

For your senator's contact information, visit http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2005/members/sen.htm. For members of the Transportation Committee, visit http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2005/Members/j08mem.htm. You can also call OOIDA's Membership Department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up.