House To Vote On 75 Mph Limit Today But State Board, Local Districts Will Have Final Say On Speeds

Idaho motorists could be legally pressing the pedal to 75 mph on monotonous stretches of interstate by the time summer vacations roll around.

The House today is scheduled to make the final vote on the proposal to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on the interstate system and to 65 on state highways. The measure already has passed the Senate 29-5.

The proposal comes after Congress dropped federally dictated speed limits. Montana responded by substituting a law allowing drivers to travel at “reasonable and prudent” speeds.

Nevada drivers can cruise 75 mph on rural interstates and 65 mph on interstates through cities.

Idaho’s Transportation Board and local highway districts will have the final say over speeds. The board also could adopt different limits for trucks and for nighttime travel.

The decisions will be based on a transportation study now under way.

Some highways would merely require new signs, department spokesman Jeff Stratten said. Others would require further study of conditions and possible dangers.

Stratten said the changes would likely begin with the interstates and the major national highways.

Graphic: Raising the limits

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