ILLINOIS WILL KEEP OLD SPEED LIMITS DESPITE FED MOVE

Despite Congress' lifting of the federal speed limit, Illinois will keep speed limits at 65 mph on interstate highways and 55 on two-lane roads.

Only minor changes have been enacted for Illinois motorists.

"Speed limits on some non-interstate, four-lane highways will be raised from 55 to 65 miles per hour," said Marsha Schiebel, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Transportation at Springfield. "The IDOT is in the process of changing those signs now, and should be finished by Monday."

The new speed limits are official now, added Schiebel. Motorists just need to obey the signs.

In announcing the speed limits, Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar said safety concerns prohibit higher speeds on state roads.

"Study after study show that traffic tolls climb as speeds climb," said Edgar. "The cost in family tragedies is simply not worth the convenience of getting somewhere a few minutes sooner."

In his announcement, Edgar cited a number of factors involved in the 60 percent drop in traffic fatalities since the early 1970s when the speed limits were 70 mph on interstates and 65 on two-lane state roads. Those factors include better roads, emphasis on speed control and safer vehicles.

"But I believe we would see a dramatic increase in traffic fatalities, especially on two-lane roads, if we allowed the speed limits to return to the levels of the early 1970s," said the governor in a prepared statement.

Lt. Phillip Sylvester, commander of Illinois State Police District 22, headquartered at Ullin in Southern Illinois, agreed with the governor

"For the safety of the motoring public, I think Gov. Edgar's action is the correct thing to do," said Sylvester. "Our speeding arrests are up this year, and people will continue to exceed the speed limit. If it goes to 70, motorists will still exceed the limit. You'd be looking at more fatal and serious accidents."

The Illinois speed limits are official without state legislation.

Schiebel said that's because the state law already is on books that allows the governor to alter speed limits with the recommendation of the IDOT and the Illinois State Police.

Edgar ordered a speed study by IDOT -- in consultation with the State Police -- when it became apparent Congress was likely to approve legislation lifting the federal speed limits.

The speed study showed the traffic fatality rate dropped 60 percent since after speed limits were reduced. There were 846 fewer lives lost on Illinois highways in 1994 than in 1971, even though motorists drove 35 billion more miles last year than they did two decades ago.

The transportation department study concluded that the speed limits on interstates shouldn't be raised above 65 mph and limits on two-lane state roads should remain at 55 mph because those roads are more dangerous than interstates.

Speed limits on certain four-lane, divided highways should be increased from 55 to 65. One of those sections in Southern Illinois is Route 13 from east of Marion to the eastern Saline County line.

"The 65 mph, however, does not apply from Marion west to Carbondale," said Schiebel. "Although that too is a four-lane highway, the congestion areas are numerous between the two cities."

Like the federal regulations, a few segments of interstate will retain 55 mph limits.

"These will be in larger city areas -- Springfield, Bloomington, Peoria and Chicago areas -- where interchanges are more frequent and motorists make frequent lane changes," said Schiebel.