THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602040044
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
A Senate committee stalled a proposal Thursday to raise the speed limit to 70 mph on some highways.
The Senate Transportation Committee voted 11-4 to kill the bill. Earlier in the day, a House of Delegates committee narrowly approved an identical measure 11-10, but the Senate committee's action makes chances of final passage slight.
President Clinton signed legislation late last year giving states authority to set their own speed limits. But that doesn't mean states should allow people to drive faster, auto safety and insurance representatives said.
The bill, introduced in the House of Delegates by Del. Jerrauld C. Jones, D-Norfolk, would allow the state Department of Transportation to raise the speed limit for cars and trucks from 65 mph to 70 mph on interstates and some limited access highways with divided roadways.
The bill also would authorize speeds of up to 65 mph on non-limited access highways that have at least four lanes. The limit for two-lane highways would remain 55 mph.
The bill has the backing of Gov. George Allen, a Republican who strongly supports returning federal responsibilities to states.
Several states raised their speed limits after the federal limits were repealed in December.
Montana lifted the speed limit on its wide-open highways during daytime hours, reverting to a law calling only for ``reasonable and proper'' speed.
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