Higher rural speed limit sought in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 21 (UPI) -- Two state representatives in Ohio say their state should increase the 65-mph speed limit on rural interstates to 70 mph like most other Midwestern states.

The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch said Thursday the House bill proposal from Ohio state Reps. Timothy J. DeGeeter, D-Parma, and Dan Dodd, D-Hebron, would keep the 65-mph speed limit on all urban interstates statewide.

"Thirty-two other states are doing it," Dodd said of the proposed increase. "No state that has increased (its limit) has made a serious effort to decrease it. We think that speaks for itself."

While the representatives' proposal to the Ohio House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has it supporters, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is not considered one.

Lt. Shawn Davis, the legislative liaison for the state police unit, said raising the speed limit on rural interstates would likely increase the number of accidents while also increasing the severity of such incidents.

The Dispatch said the proposal comes as Ohio is set to increase the speed limit for trucks on interstates to 65 mph.