USA: SPEED LIMITS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS TO BE SCRAPPED

Описание: (10 May 1995) English/Nat

Lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are set today to strip away the maximum speed limit for national highways.

Some in Congress say the speed limit - and other highway safety laws now on the books - should be left for states to decide.

Clinton administration officials say the move to kill the national speed limit will open the door for removing other safety laws that are saving lives and billions of taxpayer dollars.
On America's interstates - for most of the more than 42-thousand miles - the maximum speed allowed by law is fifty-five.

It has been that way since the energy crisis forced a change in the law in 1974 - although some states now allow a sixty-five limit for remote stretches of highway.

In most states, the highway patrol are left to enforce the national law.

Most will tell you that the law has made America's super highways safer - while there are still up to 40-thousand deaths attributed to highway accidents each year.

SOUNDBITE:
"Well hopefully, knowing that we're enforcing the speed limit will put that fear of possibly getting a ticket...so yeah I think that will send them the message that speeds...need to be kept down."
SUPER CAPTION: Trooper Jay Cullen, Virginia State Police.

Troopers on the front line face drivers daily challenging the speed law and other safety laws - like one requiring the use of seat belts.

Most troopers will tell you going back to a higher speed will make their job more difficult.

SOUNDBITE: "It's not been put into effect, but I would imagine that the increased speed, with the same amount of traffic volume or increased volume as people are moving into the area, it's going to cause us problems."
SUPERCAPTION: Trooper Jay Cullen, Virginia State Police.

Federal officials say it's simply a matter of saving lives - by the thousands - and billions of dollars in health care costs.

SOUNDBITE: "The highway safety laws of this country save 10,500 lives, and prevent 177,000 injuries each year."
SUPER CAPTION: Frederico Pena, U.S. Transportation Secretary.

But some lawmakers - mostly from large western states - say it's a classic case of state's rights, a matter for states to make laws based on their own needs.

SOUNDBITE: "Why should people be restricted by some speed limit that is set for the most populous state in the nation, New Jersey. We have different problems than they have. Let the state of New Jersey set their speed limit, what they feel is appropriate for the state of New Jersey, and the state legislature in Nevada will do the same."
SUPER CAPTION: Senator Harry Reid, Democrat-Nevada.

For now those who enforce the laws hope politics in Congress will not make America's highways more dangerous.

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