WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling SteubenvilleMany Ohio Drivers Don't Support Proposal to Raise Speed Limit

Many Ohio Drivers Don't Support Proposal to Raise Speed Limit

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By Jamie Ward - email
ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio -

A state lawmaker wants to raise the speed limit on Ohio's highways from 65 to 70. 7 News spoke with Ohio drivers on Saturday who weren't thrilled about the idea. 

"I don't really like it," says Chris Cost of Rayland. "I think it's fine the way it is. I think you see enough accidents already."

Dr. John S. Maddox of Flushing says it's a terrible idea. "There are too many units on the road for people to be able to control themselves. You can protect yourself but you can't tell other people how to drive," he says.

The proposal by Ohio State Rep. Ron Maag has little support from people we talked to today.

"Even though it's 65 now, people still go 70," says Joshua Rush of St. Clairsville.  "If you raise it to 70, they're going to go 75. People are going to keep pushing the envelope everyday".

Back in April, the Ohio Turnpike Commission voted to bump its speed limit to 70, joining 35 other states including neighboring West Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky who all have a limit of 70 on some of their roadways.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol in St. Clairville had no comment on the proposal Saturday.

A similar effort to raise the limit failed back in 2009.