OOIDA Call to Action – Ohio members
March 19, 2009

Heads up: Ohio truckers! A provision attached to the state transportation budget under consideration at the statehouse would eliminate the split speeds between cars and trucks on interstates.

It is imperative that you take time NOW to contact members of the Ohio House and communicate the importance of eliminating speed differentials.

The Senate approved the $7.6 billion state transportation budget Wednesday, March 18, after adding a provision to eliminate the rule in Ohio law slowing down vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds. It next moves back to the House for consideration of changes.

House lawmakers already approved its version of the budget, which now is expected to go to conference committee made up of select members of both chambers to work out their differences.

Currently, large vehicles are required to travel 55 mph – 10 mph below the 65 mph limit for other vehicles. All vehicles could drive 65 mph.

Lawmakers need to be told by their constituents 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.

It is vital that we get this message to lawmakers because they will most definitely be hearing from those opposed to eliminating split speed limits. The Ohio State Police already are on record as being opposed to allowing trucks to travel 65 mph.

For contact information for Ohio House lawmakers, click here. Enter your ZIP code under “Member Quick Search.” You can also call the OOIDA Membership Department at 800-444-5791 and they will look up the information for you.