Trucking News: VA wants to up speed limit to 70

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A Va Senate committee approved a bill to raise the speed limit to 70 mph on some highways Thursday, and rejected a proposal to keep the limit at 65 mph for tractor-trailer rigs.

Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, sponsored the bill (SB537) to set the 70 mph limit for all vehicles on roads where engineers deemed it safe. Gov. Bob McDonnell promised during his campaign to raise speed limits to 70 mph.

But at the trucking industry’s request, Newman said, he offered to amend his measure and keep trucks at the current 65 mph. Many trucks now are equipped with governors that limit their speeds to 65, Newman said industry representatives told him.

The proposed amendment got zero support from Senate Transportation Committee members, including Newman himself.

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