An Idaho Senate panel has killed a bill that would have done away with the state's split speed limit. OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer said what made the lawmakers gun-shy to pursue legislation was phone calls and emails from reluctant constituents who opposed the change.

"OOIDA member Jim Moore of Caldwell, ID, was there to testify in support of uniform speed limits, and there was no one testifying against it," added Spencer. "But these legislators reacted to what they were being told by people living in their district, people who opposed eliminating split speed limits."

Spencer said it goes to show that it is always important to communicate to lawmakers how you feel about a bill. "One should never assume others are speaking out so there's no need for you to add your objections or your support," he said.

The Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously to kill the bill - S1075 - that called for tweaking the speeds on interstate highways in the state to 70 mph for all vehicles. Existing state law allows cars to drive 75 mph while large trucks are limited to 65 mph.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Tim Corder, R-Mountain Home, said there would be improved safety on the roads if both types of vehicles were traveling at the same rate of speed.

Corder, a trucking company owner, told Land Line prior to the committee vote that the lower limit for vehicles with five or more axles operating at a gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds is cause for concern because of the number of "interactions" that result between cars and trucks.

"Differential speeds cause people to change lanes more often," Corder said. "There are more difficulties caused by sideswipes and people changing lanes abruptly because people realize someone is going much slower in front of them. So, there are more interactions going on."

Corder said his bill is supported by a recent study from the University of Arkansas that shows 68 mph speed limits result in the fewest number of wrecks.

That new information wasn't enough to convince committee members to change speed limits.

The committee members said they would consider the issue in later sessions if there is more evidence to support a change, The Idaho Statesman reported.

With that in mind, Corder said he would hold off on reintroducing the bill again next year unless he has more statistics to support the safety benefits for uniform speeds.

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