Despite the recommendation of state lawmakers, the Oregon Transportation Commission on Sept. 30 refused to boost rural speed limits.

Instead, the commission decided to boost the limit for cars to 60 mph on freeways in three urban areas while keeping trucks at their current limit throughout the state.

The increases for sections of interstates in Portland, Salem and Eugene will take effect as soon as new speed limit signs are posted – probably within 30 to 60 days, officials said.

Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which sought the aid of professional truck drivers to influence lawmakers and Gov. Kulongoski to endorse the legislation reducing the speed gap, expressed disdain for the commission’s decision.

“The commission’s reasoning defies simple common sense. Accidents are far more likely to take place on urban highways than they are on rural interstates,” Spencer said. “To conclude that safety wouldn’t be compromised by boosting speeds on urban routes yet safety would be compromised by boosting speeds on rural stretches of highway doesn’t even pass the laugh test.”

During the 2003 legislative session, state lawmakers and Gov. Ted Kulongoski endorsed legislation authorizing the transportation commission to raise the speed limit on certain sections of rural interstates to 65 mph for trucks and 70 mph for cars. They also authorized raising freeway speeds in urban areas.

A recent Oregon Department of Transportation study, however, advised against boosting the current 55 mph speed limit for trucks and 65 mph limit for cars on rural interstates, mainly because it also would require the limits for trucks to increase as well.

Instead, the department suggested raising urban limits for cars only.

Members of the transportation commission agreed.

“The commission members believe that the only safe and reasonable increases are in the three urban areas,” Pat Cooney, ODOT spokesman, told The Associated Press.

State Rep. Randy Miller, who sponsored the 2003 bill, criticized the transportation commission’s refusal to approve higher rural speed limits.

Miller, R-West Linn, told the news agency after the commission ruling that a higher limit would be “consistent with the safe driving behavior of our citizens,” many of whom drive faster than the current limit.

“It’s rather absurd to think that there is no stretch of rural interstates where you can’t safely post a 70 mph speed limit,” Miller said. “This absolutely confirms how out of touch state government is with its citizens.”

– By Keith Goble, state legislative editor
keith_goble@landlinemag.com