OOIDA Call to Action - Pennsylvania Members
May 23, 2007

Attention: Pennsylvania truckers! A bill in the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee would require truck drivers to travel 5 mph slower than they do now, while four wheelers continue at the current speed. The bill would also restrict big trucks to the far right lane on certain highways in the state. Take time now to speak out against split speed limits and lane restrictions.

Sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery, the bill – SB369 – would mandate that vehicles with a registered gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds be slowed to 60 mph on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, rural interstates, and other limited-access routes. All other vehicles would be allowed to continue to travel at the current 65 mph speed limit.

Supporters say the change is needed for safer travel. Opponents say requiring trucks to drive at speeds slower than other vehicles does not promote safety on the highways.

“It does exactly the opposite by requiring that vehicles are constantly in conflict with each other,” explained Todd Spencer, executive vice president for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

A separate provision in the bill would restrict large trucks to the far right-hand lane of highways. State law already prohibits trucks from traveling in the far left-hand lane of highways with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction.

Supporters say the lane ban would allow traffic to move more freely. Spencer said that thinking is flawed.

“When you start restricting vehicles to certain lanes you end up with more vehicles tailgating, and making unsafe passing maneuvers in all lanes. This isn’t good for congestion or highway safety,” Spencer said.

“Lane restrictions simply discourage smart, safe driving practices.”

Please take time now to speak out against split speed limits and lane restrictions. Contact information for the Senate Transportation Committee is listed below.

Sen. Roger A. Madigan, chairman
Phone: (717) 787-3280
E-mail: rmadigan@pasen.gov

Sen. Donald C. White, vice chairman
Phone: (717) 787-8724
E-mail: dwhite@pasen.gov

Sen. Barry J. Stout
Phone: (717) 787-1463
E-mail: stout@pasenate.com

Sen. Joseph B. Scarnati III
Phone: (717) 787-7084
E-mail: jscarnati@pasen.gov

Sen. Jane M. Earll
Phone: (717) 787-8927
E-mail: jearll@pasen.gov

Sen. Charles T. McIlhinney Jr.
Phone: (717) 787-7305
E-mail: cmcilhinney@pasen.gov

Sen. John Pippy
Phone: (717) 787-5839
E-mail: jpippy@pasen.gov

Sen. Terry L. Punt
Phone: (717) 787-4651
E-mail: skohr@pasen.gov

Sen. James J. Rhoades
Phone: (717) 787-2637
E-mail: jrhoades@pasen.gov

Sen. Robert M. Tomlinson
Phone: (717) 787-5072
E-mail: rtomlinson@pasen.gov

Sen. Richard A. Kasunic
Phone: (717) 787-7175

Sen. Gerald J. LaValle
Phone: (717) 787-3076
E-mail: lavalle@pasenate.com

Sen. Leanna M. Washington
Phone: (717) 787-1427
E-mail: washington@pasenate.com

Sen. Constance H. Williams
Phone: (717) 787-5544
E-mail: chwilliams@pasenate.com