Get facts straight on truck speed limits

Mr. Brad Roeber's letter, "Trucks aren't safe at 65 mph" again proclaims AAA's slanted view on the speed limit bill.

Contrary to what Mr. Roeber stated, the bill has nothing to do with the Chicago area. The truck (and car) speed limit will remain 55 mph. Uniform 65 mph will be found on rural interstate highways, not on any two-lane road.

AAA's concern should be more with the text-messaging drivers who pay little attention to the roadway and are the cause of an increasing number of accidents.

Mr. Roeber does not mention the fact that the accident rate for trucks continues to decline because of truck driver training, mandatory drug and alcohol testing and speed limiters found in many truck fleets (none of which are required for car drivers).

Why is AAA critical of the safer uniform speed limit in Illinois? AAA supported the recent increase to a uniform 70 mph speed limit in Iowa. I would guess that a uniform 65 mph speed limit on rural Illinois interstate highways is safer than a uniform 70 mph in Iowa, and I can guarantee you that a uniform 65 is safer than any split speed limit that has cars and trucks going different speeds on the same stretch of Illinois road.

All I ask is that AAA keep the facts straight.

Don Schaefer

Mid-West Truckers Association

Springfield