In a press release sent out today from the offices of Oregon state Senators Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) and Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro), the two lawmakers say they want to raise Oregon's speed limit.
They are looking to raise the speed limit on highways and interstates to as high as 75mph for passenger vehicles and 60 for commercial vehicles. The current speed limit on most highways is 55mph and 65mph on interstates, and these relatively low limits (when compared to other states), have long been a source of complaints from Oregonians and out-of-state drivers alike.
Starr and Atkinson plan to achieve the higher limit by amending a bill currently in front of the senate's Business, Transportation and Economic Development committee.
“Oregon is the odd one out when it comes to the nation’s speed limits,” said Starr. “By modernizing our speed limit we can increase the flow of traffic, lower commute times and fast track commerce through the state.”
It will be interesting to see if drivers welcome the higher limits -- should this pass -- given that rolling down at highway at around 80, which would be where plenty of drivers would set their own limit, would make that $4-gallon gas disappear at an even higher rate.
written by Sean Mash , May 12, 2011
written by Dennis Luckman , May 13, 2011
trucks can safely operate at higher speeds. As for the fuel
that will be used at a higher speeds, If oregon drivers save fuel the oil companis will just ship any that we don't use to
another state ware they already have higher limits.So we save fuel for utah, nev,ca,and others. Oregon drivers driving 55 or 65 can not save enought fuel to impact the world gas supply. Prices will continue to go up do to demand. Less time on the road sounds better to me. Oregon's 55 mph limit in my opinion is just a revnue gathering tool for law enforcment. almost no one is driving the speed limit anyway, if you drive 55 you are in danger of being ran over, all trafic traveling at the same speed is much safer.
written by Jason Sele , May 13, 2011
