Bill would eliminate speed limit differential in Indiana

A lawmaker has introduced legislation that would allow trucks to travel at the same speed limit as cars in the state of Indiana.

Indiana Rep. Mike Aylesworth recently introduced House Bill 1029, which calls for the “elimination of lower speed limit for trucks.”

Under current Indiana law, passenger vehicles are allowed to travel at 70 m.p.h. while commercial vehicles with a declared gross weight greater than 26,000 pounds are limited to 65 m.p.h.

If H.B. 1029 passes, trucks would also be allowed to travel at 70 m.p.h. on a roadway that is (1) on the national system of interstate and defense highways located outside an urbanized area with a population of at least 50,000; or (2) the responsibility of the Indiana finance authority.

Aylesworth has introduced similar legislation several times without success.

H.B. 1029 is currently being considered by the House Roads and Transportation Committee.

Groups like OOIDA oppose differential speed limits for heavy duty trucks “because it decreases safety by increasing the interaction between large trucks and passenger vehicles. There is no clean and substantial evidence that supports the use of different posted speed limits.”