If safety is really the goal, the governor would see to it that speed limits are set in accordance with sound engineering practices at the 85th percentile speed for all traffic (trucks too). Speed limits established to maximize safety would be set at 75 to 80 in rural areas and 70 in most urban areas with a few deep urban zones at 60 to 65 (with truck limits the same or, at most, 5 mph lower). Even two lane highways should be posted at 65 in rural areas (as they were before 1973).
I fear this may never happen because there is so much revenue at stake. The governor, IDOT, the police and especially the insurance lobby, including AAA, (which earns billions in profits from ticket surcharges on mostly safe drivers) would rather keep dangerously low speed limits than jeopardize their revenue streams. The two largest auto insurance companies in the world are based in Illinois. I fear that no Illinois governor will ever risk going against that powerful lobby. Hopefully our house and senate will display the same courage in the veto-override session that they did when passing the original bill in 2013 and the new bill which clarifies the intent of the original bill – ALL Tollways should be posted at 70 mph.
Independent studies always reach the same conclusion unless they have been funded by groups like the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Higher Surcharges) or others with a connection to the revenue stream. The science has not changed in 70 years. What changed is we had a failed national experiment with speed prohibition (55 national limit) which accomplished none of its goals and led to widespread disrespect of the law. It has been 40 years now and we are still inching our way back to the limits that were in place decades ago when cars were junk wagons by comparison to today.
Steve Doner
Life Member and Former
Illinois Chapter Coordinator
National Motorists Association
What an idiot…
If safety is really the goal, the governor would see to it that speed limits are set in accordance with sound engineering practices at the 85th percentile speed for all traffic (trucks too). Speed limits established to maximize safety would be set at 75 to 80 in rural areas and 70 in most urban areas with a few deep urban zones at 60 to 65 (with truck limits the same or, at most, 5 mph lower). Even two lane highways should be posted at 65 in rural areas (as they were before 1973).
I fear this may never happen because there is so much revenue at stake. The governor, IDOT, the police and especially the insurance lobby, including AAA, (which earns billions in profits from ticket surcharges on mostly safe drivers) would rather keep dangerously low speed limits than jeopardize their revenue streams. The two largest auto insurance companies in the world are based in Illinois. I fear that no Illinois governor will ever risk going against that powerful lobby. Hopefully our house and senate will display the same courage in the veto-override session that they did when passing the original bill in 2013 and the new bill which clarifies the intent of the original bill – ALL Tollways should be posted at 70 mph.
Independent studies always reach the same conclusion unless they have been funded by groups like the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Higher Surcharges) or others with a connection to the revenue stream. The science has not changed in 70 years. What changed is we had a failed national experiment with speed prohibition (55 national limit) which accomplished none of its goals and led to widespread disrespect of the law. It has been 40 years now and we are still inching our way back to the limits that were in place decades ago when cars were junk wagons by comparison to today.
Steve Doner
Life Member and Former
Illinois Chapter Coordinator
National Motorists Association