Nebraska Legislature Passes Measure Raising Speed Limit to 70

The Legislature Wednesday passed a bill to raise the speed limit on the interstate highway system in Nebraska to 70 m.p.h. from 55 m.p.h. next year, despite arguments that the move could cost the state federal highway funds.

Supporters of the bill, passed on a 25-22 vote and sent to Gov. Robert Kerrey, argued that few drivers comply with the nationwide 55-m.p.h. speed limit. They contended also that the higher speed limit would not endanger lives because the interstate system was designed for speeds in excess of 55 m.p.h.

Governor Undecided

Kerrey has not decided whether to sign the bill, Chief of Staff Don Nelson said.

Residents of several Western states argue that the speed limit, originally imposed to save energy in response to the Arab oil embargo, is inappropriate on long stretches of open highway in the West.

The National Research Council has estimated that the 55-m.p.h. limit saved between 3,000 and 4,000 lives during its first few years.

Under the Nebraska bill, the speed limit on east-west Interstate 80, the only interstate within Nebraska, would be increased to 70 m.p.h. beginning Sept. 15, 1987.

Federal Legislation

In the meantime, Sen. J. James Exon (D-Neb.) has said that he will push for legislation allowing the speed limit on the national interstate system to increase to 70 m.p.h.

“If we put this bill in place now, it will help the effort at the federal level and will not hurt the state at all,” said state Sen. Ernest Chambers of Omaha, a co-sponsor of the bill.

Proponents of the bill said that, if Exon’s legislation fails in Congress, the 1987 Legislature could choose to retain the 55-m.p.h. speed limit.

The bill would require that the speed limit on the stretch of I-80 running through Omaha remain at 55 m.p.h.

Loss of Funds Cited

Opposition to the bill was led by state Sen. Jerome Warner of Waverly, who said passage would prompt Nebraska residents to begin driving faster immediately.

Warner said the state would run the risk of losing federal highway funds by falling out of compliance with federal standards requiring a certain level of adherence to the 55-m.p.h. speed limit.