Lawmakers give speed bill green light

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Right now, a bill that would increase the speed limit to 70 mph on rural Ohio interstates is on it's way to the Governor's desk.

Speed kills, that's according to statistics from the American Trucking Association.

"The ATA says over 3,000 lives could be saved annually by keeping the speed of 65 or less, not 65 or more," explains Kevin Burch.

Burch is the President of Jet Express Trucking Company here in Dayton.

He's against increasing the speed limit to 70 on the state's rural highways.

"We know for a fact that faster trucks causes accidents, causes more fatalities and the problem is like, anything else 70 might mean 72 or 73.  70 might mean 75 to other people," says Burch.

But some drivers disagree.  They see the need for speed.

"Back in Georgia, in rural areas and in urban areas, the speed limit is 70 miles per hour.  So, I think it would be a very good idea for Ohio to adopt that, they're very similar in demographic, size and they both have major cities," comments Jim David.

"I think it's okay.  You know, as long as everybody follows the speed limit.  It's kind of hard for them to follow it now.  I don't know.  I guess it's okay," says Jessica Gist.
    
Governor Kaisch is expected to sign that bill into law soon.  Once he does, it would go into effect in 90 days.  We're told that could be as early as July 1st.