AAA Chicago Maintains Opposition to Increasing Truck Speed Limits

AURORA, Ill., Nov. 4 -- AAA Chicago urges Illinoisans and Senate leaders alike to support upholding Gov. Rod Blagojevich's veto of Senate Bill 2374. A motion to override the Governor's veto will be voted upon during this year's final veto session, which gets underway Monday, Nov. 8, 2004.

The bill entails legislation that would allow tractor-trailer trucks to operate on rural, four-lane highways at the same speed limits as passenger vehicles. Currently in Illinois, these trucks must operate 10 miles below passenger vehicle speed limits.

AAA Chicago admonishes Senate leaders to VOTE NO on the motion to override the Governor's veto because we strongly believe that raising truck speed limits to 65 mph greatly jeopardizes motorists' safety. Data supporting why Senate Bill 2374 is poor legislation is compelling. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in Illinois, fatal car crashes involving large trucks increased by 11 percent from 2002 to 2003.

NHTSA data also shows that when tractor-trailer trucks travel at speed rates of 55 mph or higher, it significantly increases the likelihood the truck with either jackknife or rollover. For instance, nearby states allowing uniform tractor-trailer truck and passenger vehicle speeds saw involvement of large trucks in fatal crashes increase by 27 percent from 1995 to 2001. For the same period, neighboring states prohibiting uniform speed limits experienced a 15 percent decrease in fatal crashes involving large trucks.

In addition to national statistics, local studies show that 55 percent of Illinoisans oppose an increase of truck speed limits as reported by the Center for State Policy and Leadership Survey Research Office at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

We at AAA Chicago believe that Illinois' legislature has made significant strides in improving road safety. Raising the speed limit for large trucks would negate this progress, hinder prospects for future progress and compromise state leadership's commitment to reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities on Illinois roads. A vote not to override the Governor's veto of SB 2374 is a step in support of preserving the progress made in ensuring Illinois' highway are safe for all.

For 100 years, AAA has represented the interests of the nation's motorists and served as an advocate for various traffic safety and travel related issues. AAA Chicago has served that role in Illinois since its founding in 1906.

AAA Chicago offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 45 million members in the United States and Canada.