Lawmakers debate increasing Ohio’s speed limit

YOUNGSTOWN — Some of the Mahoning Valley’s Ohio House delegation say a proposal to increase the speed limit on interstates in rural areas to 70 mph should go full speed ahead.

But state Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, chairman of the committee that will hear testimony on increasing that speed limit from 65 mph isn’t keen about putting the proposal on the fast track.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold its first hearing on the proposal in two weeks, said Hagan, D-60th, its chairman.

While Hagan said he’s willing to listen to both sides of the issue, “I do have a slant.”

That slant is “increased speed means increased use of fuel and that increases our carbon footprint,” Hagan said. “I have reservations about it.”

With the current speed limit of 65 mph on interstates for cars, drivers can “squeeze another six miles out of it,” and drive 71 mph without fear of being pulled over by the police for speeding, Hagan said.

“If it’s 70, you’ll be able to go 76 mph and that’s dangerous,” Hagan said.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com