Towing Speeds
Why do you think States, like California, have a maximum speed of 55-mph when towing? Someone told me that the tires on most trailers, including semi-trucks, are not made for speeds over 55-mph; is th...
Forum Discussion
rhagfo wrote:gmw photos wrote:Atlee wrote:
That is a perceived right that really doesn't exist, the right of states to set their own speed limits.
Back during the great oil embargo in the 1970's, the Federal government forced ALL states to lower their top speed limit to 55 mph. How could the Feds do this, you ask? Money, is the answer.
The Feds give out beau-coups of money for highways. The Feds threatened to cut off all money to states that did not comply to the Federal demand. The states, being addicted to this money, quickly fell into line and obediently lowered their respective speed limits.gmw photos wrote:donn0128 wrote:
Let me switch thst question up a hit. Why do states restrict interstate highway speeds when other states dont?
These kinds of laws fall into the category of "states rights". So they can vary from one state to the next.
The republik of kalifornia is kinda like it's own little fifedom, so it's hard to compare it to other states.
Not trying to be argumentative here, and I do hear what I think you are trying to say about behind-the-scenes shenanigans, but facts are facts.
"The National Maximum Speed Law (NMSL) in the United States was a provision of the Federal ......snip....
"The NMSL was modified in 1987 and 1988 to allow up to 65 mph (105 km/h) limits on certain limited access, rural roads. Congress repealed the NMSL in 1995, fully returning speed limit setting authority to the states."
Therefore, California, just all the other states gets to set their speed limits, even on highways that receive federal funding to build and maintain.
That is the heart of the answer to the OP's question here.
Donn0128, not sure how long you have lived in Oregon, but think back to when John Kitzhaber was governor, he was also an ER doctor, speed limit in Oregon remained at 55 for a very long time. We now have some 65 mph area south on I5, and east on I84, but only after he was out of office.
actually, there are only a few sections of oregon interstate with 55mph limit, usually around major cities. otherwise it's 65 near major cities and 70 otherwise. much of southern I5 is 70 as is 84 east of hood river. and the truck limit is higher in these sections as well.
not as high as idaho, washington or Montana.
And I remember the gas crisis. In Montana a citation for going over 55 was not a moving violation, could be paid on the spot,didn't go on your record, didn't get report to insurance companies and was a ticket for "waisting a natural resource". I just carried some extra cash. Only would get a moving violation citation if you exceeded the old "reasonable and prudent" limit. But at the same time anyone driving a state vehicle had to stay under 50!
