Pedal to the Metal?

Four legislators are having separate bills drafted for the 2015 session to raise the daytime speed limit on Montana interstate highways from 75 mph to 80 mph, and in one case, 85 mph.

Proposing higher speed limits are Sens. Scott Sales, R-Bozeman, and Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, and Rep. Mike Miller, R-Helmville, and Rep.-elect Art Wittich, R-Bozeman.

They all cited decisions by neighboring and nearby states in recent years to raise their daytime rural interstate speed limits to 80 mph.

“I’m looking at raising it from 75 to 80 where it’s safe to do so,” Miller said. “Utah, Wyoming and Idaho have all done it. Nevada is looking at it, too. I didn’t see any problems in the other states.”

Wittich said his proposal is “really a freedom bill,” adding, “People want to be able to drive faster and they should be able to do that.”

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