Illinois increases trucks' speed limit to 65 mph

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From "Daily Herald" newspaper, Aug-15-2009

"Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a new law increasing the speed limit for large trucks on major highways in Illinois outside the six-county Chicago area to 65 mph.

Under the bill signed into law Friday, the increase applies to trucks carrying a gross weight of 8,001 pounds or more on interstates and other highways with at least four lanes and dividing medians. Within Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, however, the speed limit for such trucks will be 55 mph.

The speed limit for trucks carrying a gross weight of 8,000 pounds or less will also be 65 mph, which also applies on the Illinois State Tollway system outside urban areas."

What the story doesn't mention is when the new law comes into effect ...

[Rev.Vassago]

Say goodbye to the split speed limit in Illinois!

[GMAN]

I am glad this bill finally passed. It makes good sense to have trucks and cars moving at the same speed.

[scrapmetal]

bitchen

[tracer]

I am glad this bill finally passed. It makes good sense to have trucks and cars moving at the same speed.

What will Michigan do now? All states around them have 65 for trucks.

[Copperhead]

Good deal, but not as good as when Ohio finally raised speed limit. Illinois state police were not that anal about enforcing a 55 mph limit. I have run for 20 years thru Illinois almost weekly at 60-62 and never got a driving award from them. When you look at the big picture on the regulations they impose on trucking, this deal just looks like the Governor is handing out some crumbs to the masses to make them feel better. Besides, most of Northeast Illinois is exempt and will remain 55 mph for trucks. But it is a nice thing for those 2-3 hills in the state where getting speed up before hitting the hill is nice.

[Fredog]

From "Daily Herald" newspaper, Aug-15-2009

"Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a new law increasing the speed limit for large trucks on major highways in Illinois outside the six-county Chicago area to 65 mph.

Under the bill signed into law Friday, the increase applies to trucks carrying a gross weight of 8,001 pounds or more on interstates and other highways with at least four lanes and dividing medians. Within Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, however, the speed limit for such trucks will be 55 mph.

The speed limit for trucks carrying a gross weight of 8,000 pounds or less will also be 65 mph, which also applies on the Illinois State Tollway system outside urban areas."

What the story doesn't mention is when the new law comes into effect ...

I heard on the radio that it takes effect January 1st

[mike3fan]

What will Michigan do now? All states around them have 65 for trucks.

I wouldn't expect Michigan to go above the current 60mph for trucks considering the 160,000 gross weight law.

[Musicman]

I wouldn't expect Michigan to go above the current 60mph for trucks considering the 160,000 gross weight law.

You are correct. I read an article (I do not remember when or in what publication) some time ago where MI legislators, DOT and advocate groups were discussing raising the speed limit in MI for trucks. The reason the powers that be cited for NOT choosing to do so was that they do not want to have to differentiate between different classes of heavy trucks. They felt it would be distracting for law enforcement to not only “clock” the speed of a truck, but then count its axels to figure out if it is speeding or not.

[GMAN]

You are correct. I read an article (I do not remember when or in what publication) some time ago where MI legislators, DOT and advocate groups were discussing raising the speed limit in MI for trucks. The reason the powers that be cited for NOT choosing to do so was that they do not want to have to differentiate between different classes of heavy trucks. They felt it would be distracting for law enforcement to not only “clock” the speed of a truck, but then count its axels to figure out if it is speeding or not.

I suppose we don't want to confuse the cops by making them think.

[Musicman]

I suppose we don't want to confuse the cops by making them think.

You know, my father was a cop for some years, but he was the sort that might pull a big truck over and give the driver a courtesy warning, but had to be practically begged by the driver in order for him to issue a ticket. There are a lot of good cops out there, but there seems to be just as many bad ones. Unfortunately, there seems to be an element in law enforcement that cognitive abilities elude, and I’m sure there would be plenty of bad tickets written if the MI cops had to differentiate between classes of trucks.