6/19/06-The House has put the brakes on an effort to authorize speed limits to be increased on multilane highways in the state.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, the bill failed on a 51-42 vote Friday, June 16. It needed 53 votes to pass.
SB158 would have given the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development authority to conduct traffic safety studies to determine if higher limits on the state’s interstates and other highways can be safely implemented. The speed increases would have undergone a final review by the House and Senate committees on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
If the studies determined it was safe, the speed limit for all vehicles could increase to 75 mph – up from the current 70 mph. The speed limit on some other four-lane roads could be increased from 65 mph to 70 mph. Some two-lane roads could have speed limits increased from 55 mph to 65 mph.
McPherson still could bring the bill back for a last ditch attempt at passage before the Legislature wraps up its work at 6 p.m. Monday, June 19.
Offered by Rep. Hunter Greene, R-Baton Rouge, the bill initially dealt only with regulating funeral processions on highways.
The bill includes a provision that would allow drivers of passenger vehicles impeding the flow of traffic to drive on the shoulder of a highway or interstate until the other vehicles pass. The rule would apply only on highways with paved shoulders.

6/14/06-The House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee voted 6-5 June 14 to advance a bill that would authorize speed limits to be increased on the state’s interstates and highways.
The panel altered the bill to allow the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development authority to conduct traffic safety studies to determine if higher limits on interstates and other highways can be safely implemented.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, SB158 would let the department increase the speed limit for all vehicles to 75 mph – up from the current 70 mph. The speed limit on some other four-lane roads could be increased from 65 mph to 70 mph. Some two-lane roads could have speed limits increased from 55 mph to 65 mph.
The bill includes a provision that would allow drivers of passenger vehicles impeding the flow of traffic to drive on the shoulder of a highway or interstate until the other vehicles pass. The rule would apply only on highways with paved shoulders.
The measure now heads to the House floor for consideration. If approved there, it would go back to the Senate for approval of changes before it could be sent to Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s desk.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.

6/12/06-The Senate unanimously approved a bill June 6 that would allow for increases to speed limits on the state’s interstates and other highways.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, SB158 would increase the speed limit for all vehicles to 75 mph – up from the current 70 mph. It also would allow the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to raise the speed limit on some other four-lane roads from 65 mph to 70 mph. Some two-lane roads would have speed limits increased from 55 mph to 65 mph.
The bill also would allow drivers of passenger vehicles impeding the flow of traffic to drive on the shoulder of a highway or interstate until the other vehicles pass. The rule would apply only on highways with paved shoulders.
The bill has been sent to the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee.
For bill status, call (225) 342-2456. In Louisiana, call 1-800-256-3793.
A similar House bill – HB240 – is awaiting final approval in the House.