Idaho's senate is considering SB 1082, a bill that would increase the speed limit on the state's highways from 65 miles per hour to 75 mph.

The change could exact a toll on Idaho's citizens in lost lives, more severe traffic crash injuries, and increased medical costs, according to the American Insurance Association. “Speeding reduces the time that drivers have to avoid crashes and lengthens stopping distances, increasing both the likelihood of crashing and the severity of the crashes that occur,” said David Snyder, AIA vice president and assistant general counsel.

The AIA cited statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicating that speeding is one of the most prevalent reported factors associated with crashes. Speeding is a factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes, killing an average of 1,000 Americans every month, according to NHTSA. In 2002, more than 13,000 people died in speed-related crashes. NHTSA estimates the economic cost to society of speed-related crashes to be more than $40 billion each year.

“The risk of death and severe injury is a direct exponential function of speed,” said Snyder. “And, in reality, raising the speed limit means that real speeds will be 85 mph, far beyond the ability of car safety systems to prevent serious injuries. These injuries will result in more victims and unnecessary medical costs and productivity losses paid for by the state's employers, taxpayers, and insurance consumers.”

The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 repealed the maximum speed limit, allowing states to set their own limits for the first time since 1974. Many states raised speed limits on both rural and urban interstates and limited access roads. As of June 2003, 29 states had raised speed limits to 70 mph or higher on some portion of their roadway systems.

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Insurers Deplore Raising Speed Limit

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