Triple A Has Concerns About Raising Speed Limit
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Triple A is weighing in on a bill that would raise the speed limit to 70 miles per hour on Illinois roads.
Triple A Opposes Raising Speed Limit
WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports, the motor club says speeding already is an enormous hazard on the state's roads, accounting for more than half of Illinois' traffic deaths.
It says the problem won't be fixed by letting cars and trucks travel even faster.
Since the speed limit for large trucks went to 65 miles per hour in 2011, the Triple A says there's been a 39 percent increase in fatalities.
The group's president Brad Roeber says allowing large trucks to go faster is especially dangerous.
"Motorists don't stand a chance against an 80,000 pound vehicle traveling at high speeds," he said.
The bill to increase the limit to 70 miles per hour has passed the Illinois Senate and is awaiting a vote by the House.
