GOVERNOR RECOMMENDS 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE

Speed limits will increase on some Missouri roadways if the General Assembly accepts recommendations made Monday by Gov. Mel Carnahan.

The recommendations, which include a 70 mph limit on rural interstates, were based on a report issued by a task force composed of representatives from several state agencies and both houses of the legislature.

"Our goal is to develop a safe and reasonable speed limit," Carnahan said. "This recommendation takes into account those factors, but also reflects the general public sentiment to increase the speed limit."

The proposed changes also include a 65 mph limit on other four-lane, divided highways. Trucks over 24,000 pounds would be limited to 65 mph in 70 mph zones and 60 mph in 65 mph zones.

All other routes, including interstates in urban areas with populations of more than 50,000, would remain at 55 mph.

Also, the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department would be empowered to reduce the speed on any roadway for safety reasons.

Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, expects the proposals will be approved by both chambers.

"I think it is workable. If you don't want to drive 70, you don't have to; but you can if you want to," Staples said. "And people drive 70 anyway."

Staples said the Senate Transportation Committee, of which he is chairman, will likely send a speed limit bill to the full Senate by the end of the week. The House of Representatives is unable to make any legislative progress as it continues to struggle to elect a new speaker.

The task force that formulated the recommendations sought input from a number of interested groups, including safety advocates, insurers groups and law enforcement organizations.

"All of the groups that were asked generally were supportive of the recommendations," said Capt. Clarence Greeno, communications director for the Missouri Highway Patrol, one of the state agencies represented on the task force. "The primary concern expressed -- which has long been expressed by the patrol -- is the correlation between an increase in speed and the number of traffic accidents."

In 1994, the latest year for which figures are available, 16.8 percent of all traffic accidents and 36.7 percent of fatal traffic accidents in Missouri were speed related. A total of 402 people were killed and 17,665 injured that year in speed-related crashes.

Statistics, however, were drowned out in the call for increased speeds.

"We were all resigned to the fact there would be an increase in speed limit," Greeno said. "Public sentiment is so high for an increase, it was just a given."

The patrol will examine its enforcement policy, but has not yet decided if it will afford drivers less leeway. Greeno said that depends greatly on those in the judicial system. Prosecutors and judges, he said, may not bother with minor violations, even though drivers are going faster.

In November, federal legislation was enacted which eliminated the national 55 mph speed limit established in 1974. Missouri has until April to adopt new limits before the state reverts those in place prior to the federal restriction. Illinois lawmakers have already decided to retain current limits.

Until legislation is approved in Missouri, the patrol has a warning for drivers.

"Speed limits at this point have not been increased," Greeno said. "They are still as posted and will continue to be enforced as such."

MISSOURI SPEED LIMITS COMPARISON

PREVIOUS LIMIT: Before 1974 federal limits were imposed, 70 mph on interstates and four-lane divided highways; 65 mph on two-lane U.S. highways and 65 mph in the daytime and 60 mph at night on other routes.

CURRENT LIMIT: 65 mph on rural interstates and 55 mph on most other highways, including interstates in urban areas.

FUTURE LIMIT: Lawmakers are considering 70 mph on rural interstates; 65 mph on other four-lane divided highways; 55 mph on two-lane roads, and 55 mph on all highways in urban areas with a population of at least 100,000. If the Legislature does nothing, speed limits will revert in March to their pre-1974 levels.