AAA Chicago Opposes Legislation to Raise Truck Speed Limits

AURORA, Ill., Nov. 3, 2003 -- The AAA-Chicago Motor Club urges Illinois legislators to uphold Governor Blagojevich's veto of HB 1186; legislation that would allow trucks to operate at the same speed as passenger vehicles on four-lane highways outside of urban areas. The club believes that by raising truck speed limits to 65 mph, motorists' safety would be unduly compromised.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speed limits of 55 mph or higher significantly increase the odds of both a rollover and a jackknife for large trucks. In a report released in June 2003, NHTSA also concluded that 22 percent of all crashes involving trucks were attributed to excessive speed.

It is common knowledge that trucks are not as maneuverable in emergency situations as passenger vehicles and require longer distances to stop. In fact, it would take an 80,000-pound truck more than 190 additional feet to stop their vehicle at 65 mph than it would at 55 mph.

In 2001 the Illinois Department of Transportation reported 16,481 crashes involving trucks. More than 2,400 injuries and 126 fatalities resulted from those crashes.

"Motorists who have traveled Illinois highways understand that there are many vehicles, including trucks, that consistently exceed posted speed limits," said Steve Bernth, AAA Chicago President and COO. "If speed limits for trucks are increased to 65 mph, the reality is that many trucks will be traveling in excess of 70 mph. Having an 80,000- pound truck traveling in excess of 70 mph is a very intimidating and dangerous proposition for Illinois motorists."

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 Motor Club has served that role in Illinois since its founding in 1906.

As a leader of traffic safety in Illinois, the AAA-Chicago Motor Club opposes HB 1186.

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 46 million members in the United States and Canada.