Bill Aims To Increase Speed Limits Senate Committee Considers Top Speed Of 75 Mph

Speed limits on highways in Idaho could jump to 75 mph under legislation introduced Tuesday.

The Senate Transportation Committee’s action cleared the way for a full-scale hearing on whether the state should take advantage of congressional action that removed federal control over speed limits.

Committee Chairman Sen. Evan Frasure, R-Pocatello, drafted three options to allow speed limits above the old 65 mph limit on rural interstates and 55 mph on all other roads:

A maximum limit of 75 mph on interstate and state highways and 70 mph on local roads.

A maximum of 75 mph on interstate highways and 65 mph on state and local roads.

A maximum of 70 mph on interstate highways and 65 mph on state and local roads.

“These are the three that cover what most people have an interest in,” Frasure said.

All three bills also would repeal the current penalty of $5 plus court costs for driving between 55 and 70 mph.

Under state law, the Legislature only sets the maximum allowable speeds, while the state Transportation Board or the local jurisdiction in the case of local roads actually determine the legal limits up to those maximums.

Transportation Department engineers are reviewing the design of highways throughout the state to determine whether the limits can be raised safely.

Although most members of the committee appeared to support some increase in the existing limits, Boise Republican Hal Bunderson raised questions about the safety of higher speeds.

Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, said, “If you want zero fatalities, then stop people from driving.”

, DataTimes