Senate Votes For 75 Mph Interstate Speeds Plan Allows 65 Mph On State Roads; Change Could Take Effect May 1

Idahoans already are driving 65 mph to 75 mph, so state laws should reflect that, lawmakers said Monday.

In a 28-7 vote, the state Senate approved legislation to allow the state Transportation Board to set speeds up to 75 mph on interstate freeways and 65 mph on state and local roads. The bill now goes to the House. If it is passed there and signed by the governor, it would take effect May 1.

All of North Idaho’s senators voted for the bill.

“Most of my constituents have said they would like to drive faster,” said Sen. Robert Geddes, R-Soda Springs. “Some have said they want to drive at the same speed they do now, but do it legally.”

Sen. Evan Frasure, R-Pocatello, said studies show raising or lowering speed limits doesn’t significantly change either the speed at which people drive or the number of accidents; that’s because people ignore speed limits and drive the comfortable or safe speed for the conditions.

“What this simply does is return the authority to the experts based on what the road was engineered for,” said Frasure, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

The bill wouldn’t force the Transportation Department to make speed limit changes. The Transportation Board would decide what speed is appropriate for specific stretches of road, based on safety factors.

North Idaho had several stretches of roads with 70 mph speed limits prior to 1974, when the national speed limit was imposed. They included stretches of Interstate 90 east of Post Falls to Coeur d’Alene and from Kellogg to Osburn, plus U.S. Highway 95 from Athol to Westmond.

In the Senate debate, opponents argued that 75 mph is just too fast.

“What I worry about is the less-experienced driver with limited reflex time … careening down the road 15 percent faster than before,” said Sen. Hal Bunderson, R-Meridian.

And some said if the limit is 75 mph, people will drive 80 mph or more.

“The thought of trucks passing all of us at 80 mph I think is terrifying,” said Sen. Sue Reents, D-Boise.

Sen. Mary Lou Reed, D-Coeur d’Alene, said she hopes the department would use caution in raising speed limits, assuming the bill passes the House and is signed by the governor.

“I have a lot of roads in my district that recently have been under water,” she said.

, DataTimes