Why 55mph

I have never understood the reason different states have different speed limits for both cars and truck. I believe the National Highway Safety Administration has done tests to determine that mixed speed limits in unsafe. So why do some states think that trucks need to travel at a slower speed rather than abide by the tried and true, “the safest speed is the flow of traffic?” So trucks are heavier, need more stopping room, need to be going slower, and on and on. Can you imagine the FAA telling pilots of commercial jets that they need to fly slower than small planes because they are heavier and need more room to stop etc……? Ridiculous.

The truth of the matter is plain and simple. REVENUE. OK, if it’s not for the money then why are there 55 mph speed limits for trucks in California, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois and my favorite Ohio. Most drivers will say that California, Illinois and Michigan will let you drift into the 60’s before anyone gets too concerned, except for those few who wear their badge a little too tight and love to score brownie points with their Captains. But this leaves two who really watch the numbers pretty close. Oregon? Well that’s a liberal state run by pointy headed politicians who don’t know the first thing about trucking and are guided by all of the do gooders who probably don’t know that trucks deliver everything except babies. Many companies depend on, on time deliveries and anything or anyone that interferes with this system is creating a problem. Diesel fuel prices are higher in Oregon than many other states, and of course that’s caused by higher fuel taxes. Then of course more revenue comes from extra permits to run in the state. I guess no one there understands about IFTA.

I personally know a retired Ohio Highway Patrolman who told me a few things about their system. Yes, those fine folks with the blue lights do have a quota to fill. Most will deny this of course, but the proof is this. If you look at any town, city or county operating budget there is a line in their revenue side of the sheet called fines. Where do these fines come from? Among other places, your pocket book. If the income stream is getting a bit thin a call is made from the revenue collector to the various law enforcement agencies to step up the pace a little, the cash isn’t coming in fast enough. Bingo, blue lights all over the place and guess who is parked in front of a patrol car? Yep, an 18 wheeler. Several years ago on I-71 between Columbus and Cincinnati there were 9 Highway Patrol cars, each one has a customer and would you like to guess out of the 9 how many were trucks? Right again, all 9. I don’t think there is a commercial driver in this country who doesn’t have at least one fast driving award from Ohio, unless you’ve never been in the State.

There is a solution, and it is fool proof and it won’t cost anyone a cent or be an inconvenience. Stay tuned, I’ll save that for another time.

Enjoy the day

Geezer

Category Posted: General