Calls to Action, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

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Call To Action

Illinois

OOIDA Call to Action – Illinois members
April 23, 2009

UPDATE: The effort to bring uniform speed limits to rural interstates in Illinois took another step toward becoming law Wednesday, April 22.

The House Vehicles and Safety Committee voted to advance the bill to the full House for final consideration. The bill would allow vehicles weighing more than 8,000 pounds to travel 65 mph on rural interstates outside Chicago. The committee added a provision that would exempt the five surrounding “collar” counties.

If approved by the House, SB1467 would move back to the Senate for approval of changes before it could advance to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is encouraging truckers to contact their lawmakers and Gov. Quinn to communicate the importance of eliminating speed differentials. Illinois lawmakers and the governor need not look any further than Ohio where a similar rule change has been approved and is scheduled to take effect in July.

Illinois lawmakers and Gov. Quinn need to know that by having vehicles travel at or near the same speed, the need for passing, lane changes, tailgating, and other maneuvers that create opportunities for drivers to make mistakes is minimized. This isn’t physics or rocket science. It’s simple common sense that highway engineers have known and followed for decades.

Contact info for House members is available here. SB1467 could come up for House floor consideration at any time.

You are also encouraged to contact Gov. Pat Quinn and ask for his support of uniform speed limit legislation. To reach the governor’s Springfield office, dial 217-782-0244. To reach the governor’s Chicago office, dial 312-814-2121. To send e-mail, click here.