Assembly OKs 65 for Interstates

On a bipartisan 58-7 roll call, the state Assembly voted today to increase the speed limit from 55 m.p.h. to 65 m.p.h. on 1,200 miles of California interstate highways in rural areas.

The measure, by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City) must be voted upon by the state Senate, where passage is all but guaranteed, before it can be sent to Gov. George Deukmejian, who has promised his signature.

The bill is needed before California can use the higher speed limit authorized by the federal highways bill enacted last week over President Reagan’s veto of an $88-billion highway construction bill.

Recommended by CHP

The rural highways were all recommended for the higher speed limit by the California Highway Patrol, which said that the majority of motorists were already averaging 65 m.p.h. on those roadways, making enforcement impractical.

However, the legislation requires that the CHP update its 2-year-old traffic studies that were the basis of its recommendation before the higher speed limit becomes law.

Also, the state Department of Transportation must post signs before the higher limit takes effect. A CHP spokesman said motorists could start seeing the higher limit signs as early as June.

“California motorists voted a long time ago with their gas pedals on the 65-m.p.h. limit. It’s time for the California Legislature to act, and this bill will do that,” Katz said.

Injuries, Deaths Cited

The only opposition came from Assemblyman Phil Isenberg (D-Sacramento), who said numerous studies have linked higher highway speeds with higher rates of traffic injuries and deaths.

Katz said that would not happen because motorists are already driving 65 m.p.h. on the interstates.

The CHP has recommended 65 m.p.h. for rural stretches of the following highways: Interstate 5 from the Oregon border to a few miles south of Bakersfield; Interstate 8 between San Diego and the Arizona state line; Interstate 10 between San Bernardino and the Arizona border; Interstate 15 between San Bernardino and Baker; Interstate 40 between Barstow and the Arizona border; Interstate 205 near Tracy; Interstate 505 between Vacaville and Zamora, and Interstate 580 between Livermore and Interstate 5.