Speed limit for trucks set to rise to 65

[msirach]

Car and truck speed limits will be the same in Illinois.

Kurt Erickson - PANTAGRAPH - August 14, 2009

The new Governor of Illinois obviously has no regard for fuel consumption or safety. --Ed.

Illinois could soon join most other states in having a uniform speed limit for cars and trucks on its highways.

Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to formally endorse legislation that boosts the speed limit for semitrailer trucks to 65 miles per hour on rural interstates, the bill's Senate sponsor said Friday.

Currently, the legal limit for big rigs is set at 55 mph. Supporters of the change say it is ... [Read More]

[worthywads]

I've heard time and again here that the trucker/police ignore it anyway. Where is the evidence that it is more dangerous for trucks to have the same speed limit as cars?

[Traal]

Originally Posted by worthywads

Where is the evidence that it is more dangerous for trucks to have the same speed limit as cars?

A semi truck has more kinetic energy than a car at the same speed.

[ILAveo]

Originally Posted by worthywads

I've heard time and again here that the trucker/police ignore it anyway. Where is the evidence that it is more dangerous for trucks to have the same speed limit as cars?

FWIW they don't totally ignore it in West and Central Illinois--most trucks tend to run 60ish while the cars tend to run 70ish. There are speed outliers that run faster and slower in both groups. The new limits will probably put most trucks up into the 65-70 range on the open road.

I would guess that unifying the speed limit at the current truck speed limit would be a safer, but pretty unpopular change.

A few close encounters with wildlife have convinced me that 65 is an unsafe nighttime speed in rural areas.

[Damionk]

2 words: Wrong direction.

[chilimac02]

While I'm all for sticking it to 18wheelers (I was hit by one a few years ago), I don't see a good reason for making them drive slower. The only valid reason would be that they have longer stopping distances. Otherwise, they contain trained drivers whereas cars contain drivers of varying skill levels.

[Damionk]

Maybe I should explain my comment better. I was intending to relay my opinion that the speed limit should be lowered to 55 for cars and trucks.

[laurieaw]

Originally Posted by chilimac02

While I'm all for sticking it to 18wheelers (I was hit by one a few years ago), I don't see a good reason for making them drive slower. The only valid reason would be that they have longer stopping distances. Otherwise, they contain trained drivers whereas cars contain drivers of varying skill levels.

from what i have seen on I94 during my recent bout of long distance commuting, not all "trained" drivers demonstrate any more skill than the rest of the morons on the road. i have seen them tailgating, doing unsafe lane changes, speeding, and all the other dangerous techniques used in cars.

[JusBringIt]

Reminds me of the bikers that tried to tell me they were more alert on the road than hypermilers...If I could list the amount of driving and riding infractions the younger fellow had, there wouldn't be enough space on cleanmpg to contain the mess.

[worthywads]

Originally Posted by Traal

A semi truck has more kinetic energy than a car at the same speed.

That's not evidence that it is better to have trucks driving 10 mph slower around faster moving cars.