Two lane road etiquette

7/22/2015
Oregon law raises some car-truck speeds, maintains differential

By Keith Goble, Land Line state legislative editor

A new law in Oregon will increase speed limits on different rural stretches of highway in the state while maintaining a speed differential between cars and trucks.

State law now authorizes motorists to drive 65 mph on affected stretches of interstate. Large trucks, however, are kept slower at 55 mph. On state and U.S. highways, cars and trucks are permitted to travel 55 mph.

Gov. Kate Brown signed a bill into law on Monday, July 20, to increase the speed limit for personal vehicles and trucks on rural sections of Central and Eastern Oregon highways.

On Interstate 84 east of The Dalles, the speed limit for motorists will increase to 70 mph while the truck speed will be raised to 65 mph. Speed limits on U.S. 95 between the Idaho and Nevada lines will also be raised to 70 mph for cars and 65 mph for trucks.

Along U.S. 20 between Bend and Ontario and on state Highway 26 between John Day and Vale, speeds will be increased to 65 mph for motorists and 60 mph for trucks. On U.S. 97 and state Highway 197 between The Dalles and Klamath Falls, the speed limits will also be raised to 65 mph for motorists and 60 mph for trucks.

The speed limits on state Highway 78 between Burns Junction and Burns, and on state Highway 395 between Burns and John Day, as well as state Highway 205 between Burns and Frenchglen will be increased to 65 mph for cars and 60 mph for trucks.

The speed changes authorized in HB3402 will be made on March 1, 2016. In the meantime, the Oregon Department of Transportation will start preparing for the change overs.

According to a fiscal impact statement attached to the bill, the cost to replace about 370 speed signs will be $735,000.

Advocates said the speed changes make sense. They note that neighboring Washington and California already have maximum speeds for cars set at 70 mph.

Supporters also said the changes would more closely reflect the actual driving speed of most Oregon motorists and keep the state’s interstate system safe and reduce travel times.

Troy Costales, ODOT safety division administrator, urged caution on the changes. He said during discussion at the statehouse that faster speeds result in more fatalities and serious injury crashes. In addition, he has said the rural areas affected by the change do not have emergency services readily available.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association advocates for uniform speeds for cars and trucks.

Mike Matousek, OOIDA’s director of state legislative affairs, has said that roadways are safer when all vehicles are permitted to travel at the same rate of speed.

“Differential speed limits create more interactions between cars and trucks, which can lead to an increase in the number and severity of accidents. They are also a contributing factor to increased congestion, carbon emissions, and increased inefficiencies with local, regional, and national goods movement.”

To view other legislative activities of interest for Oregon, click here.

Copyright © 2015





Looks like I5 is unaffected.

 

Traffic already goes that fast. Almost 3/4 of a million for signs. What a load of crap.

 

They are installing brand new poles and signs. I saw them being put up this last trip. Somebody had a cousin in the business no doubt.

 

Only in government is a 2x3 reflective sign and two bolts worth 2k each.

 

& 6 guys to install it.

 

Plus $1200 per hole to stick that post into.....