The Nation : House Offers Speed Hikes

House conferees, bargaining with Senate negotiators on a sweeping highway and mass transit bill, offered for the first time to allow states to raise their speed limits above 55 m.p.h. The House first expressed a willingness to allow states to hike their speed limits to 65 m.p.h. in exchange for requirements for better enforcement of speed limits, and later offered 60-m.p.h. speeds tied to stringent requirements for seat-belt use. But senators are seeking an agreement with fewer stipulations. The issue of raising speed limits on highways outside urbanized areas has been the most contentious in efforts to pass legislation that would funnel billions in funds to states.