Legislation that could allow drivers on Wisconsin roads to cruise at speeds of up to 70 miles an hour is on its way to the full Assembly, after a legislative committee signed off on the bill Tuesday at the Capitol.
The legislation from state Representative Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc) would allow the Department of Transportation to set a maximum speed limit of 70, up from the current cap of 65. Tittl has argued the change is needed to keep Wisconsin in line with neighboring states, which have already increased their speed limits in recent years.
The committee did reject an amendment that would have allowed the DOT to set a 65 mph speed limit for commercial vehicles. In a statement, Tittl argued that highways are safer when traffic is moving at the same speed, and “split speeds for commercial vehicles disrupt that flow.”
The Assembly Transportation Committee approved the bill on a 14-1 vote. The proposal could head before the full chamber for a vote later this month.
