OOIDA Call to Action - Illinois Members
March 28, 2007

Attention: Illinois truckers. Another attempt is being made to end split speed limits on the state's interstate highways. Take time now to contact your state legislators and speak in favor of uniform speed limits.

Rep. Robert Flider, D-Decatur, and Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, have taken up the battle to eliminate the provisions that set up slower speed limits on rural interstates for vehicles weighing more than 8,000 pounds. Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph speed limit.

Flider's bill - HB1786 - and Sullivan's bill - SB540 - would allow the Illinois Department of Transportation to increase large truck speeds to as much as 65 mph.

Flider made it clear that even if the bill is signed into law it doesn't guarantee elimination of the speed gap. The bill allows the state to consider authorizing uniform speeds. Its passage wouldn't mandate a change, but it would allow for a change that is currently not an option.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has said that he fears faster trucks would mean bloodier accidents because the force of impact is stronger the faster a vehicle is traveling.

But federal statistics show that split speed limits actually lead to more accidents. Flider cited these concerns as reasoning for introducing the bill. Studies show that uniform speed limits would actually be safer.

To find contact information for Illinois state senators click here. For contact information on Illinois state representatives, click here.