New Traffic Laws, Speed Limits Take Effect
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Speed Limit Changes
Big changes are coming to Ohio's interstates and highways as several new traffic laws take effect.COLUMBUS, Ohio—Big changes are coming to Ohio’s interstates and highways as several new traffic laws take effect Wednesday.
The biggest change allows tractor-trailers to travel at 65 mph, NBC 4‘s Candice Lee reported.
Bill Braack a semi driver said he welcomes the new speed limit.
“It’s going to be a safety factor, I think. It’s not so much the speed of these rigs, it’s the difference in speed between us and the little cars that I think cause problems,“ Braack said.
The money for the conversion is coming from the state transportation department’s 2010-2011 budget, which was approved back in April.
However ODOT has plans to limit overtime and cost of materials.
“When they start their shift in the day tomorrow, their priority is to get those signs changed to reflect what the law is,“ said Nancy Burton, spokesperson, ODOT District 6.
Within the eight counties in District 6, there are 109 speed limit signs. ODOT crews will replace four signs while removing 62 signs.
Other speed limit signs will be covered with a white reflective material, hiding the old limit of 55 mph.
Burton said the savings is enormous, compared to buying and posting new signs.
Another law will go a long way in protecting tow truck operators.
The new law requires motorists slow down or move over when they see a tow truck on the side of the road.
The law carries a fine of $300 plus court costs for first-time violators. The fee will be $500 for second violations.
Another law provides for transition zones when speed limits drop by more than 20 mph—eliminating speed traps.
Drivers will also be required to turn on their headlights when they use windshield wipers in the rain.
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Reader Reactions
The current law (which only applies to emergency vehicles) says you have to slow to 45mph or change lanes.
Whether or not they’ll change this or just add tow trucks to the existing law, I don’t know.
They need to put guidlines around ‘slowing down’ if unable to switch lanes when passing a tow truck or emergency vehicle in the berm. Are they talking 5, 10, 15 mph under the speed limit? I may slow down but the officer may disagree. How can they enforce this?
I’m not trying to argue for or against 70mph, I just remember hearing the state was raising the speed limit.
Indiana and Michigan have 70mph speed limits and their roads are not any worse than Ohio’s.
Crazy drivers are crazy drivers, it doesn’t matter where you go.
Drivers in this city are already out of control without having to raise the speed limite to 70. Most drivers do that speed (or faster) already and most police don’t pull someone over for going five mph or less over the speed limit.
Raising the limit to 70 would mean people could drive 75 without being ticketed (conceptually). With the ever growing problem of cell phones and disregard for other drivers, I think 70mph is plenty fast enough.
The speed limit was 55 for as long as I can remember - we should be grateful it was raised at all. If you’re in that much of a hurry when you drive then LEAVE SOONER! It’s a simple concept.
I digress, the changes seem like a good idea, especially the speed trap one. I always though headlights were required with windsheild wiper use already?
What happened to the whole 70mph speed limit idea?
Also how about actually enforcing some of these laws… no point in wasting time legislating if the police aren’t going to actually ticket people.
Some logical changes in traffic laws. Now can we please get a ban on celphone use and texting while driving. Why would anyone oppose the idea of restricting use to handsfree devices and why isn’t it law by now?
Why isn’y mandatory seatbelt use enforced aggressively?
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