A new measure in the Georgia Senate would slow large trucks down on most highways in the state.

Sen. David Adelman, D-Atlanta, said his proposal would restrict big rigs to 55 mph on all highways. Under current state law, all vehicles are permitted to travel 70 mph on rural interstates, 65 mph outside urban areas and 55 mph within urban areas, such as Atlanta.

SB462 has been forwarded to the Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a Georgia man persuaded Adelman to introduce the bill after a Dec. 1, 2002, crash with a semi that killed his son.

Callum Owings’ vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer as the vehicles approached slowed interstate traffic, the newspaper reported. Two months later, Callum’s parents, Steve and Susan Owings, were driving in a snowstorm and were startled that trucks would be passing them on the interstate.

“It was an instance of ‘Can you believe this? Something has to be done,’” Steve Owings said.

Under a resolution – SR669 – also introduced by Adelman, a study commission would examine the split-speed bill and see whether there are any possible compromises such as designated times when tractor-trailers have to slow down or special lanes where trucks can drive the same speed as other vehicles.