OOIDA Information Update - Texas Members
May 22, 2006

Texas truckers! The Texas Transportation Commission is scheduled to vote May 25 on a plan that would widen the daytime speed differential between large trucks and other vehicles on two interstates in the western rural parts of the state.

If approved, the daytime speeds for cars, pickups and other personal vehicles would be increased on Interstate 10 and Interstate 20 in Pecos, Reeves and Ward counties to 80 mph.

The current speed in Pecos and Reeves counties is 75 mph, while Ward County is 70 mph. Truck speeds, which are currently 70 mph during the day in all three counties, would not be increased. The nighttime speed for all vehicles would remain at its current 65 mph limit.

The move was made possible by a bill signed into law in June 2005 by Gov. Rick Perry that gave the Commission the right to raise daytime speeds for four-wheelers in counties with 15 people or less per square mile. Currently, only 10 counties in the state are eligible.

The commission meeting is open to the public. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Texas Transportation Commission, 125 East 11th St., Austin, TX, 78701.

Anyone can speak during the meeting. The only requirement is to fill out a registration card that will be available at the meeting site.

You can also submit your comments via e-mail at http://www.dot.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/mailform.pl. Be sure to address your e-mail to the "Public Information Office." You can also call (512) 463-8588 and let them know you'd like to comment on the proposed speed limit changes.