Why does Ohio have a split speed limit for cars and trucks when it is unsafe?

Question

Ohio has a 65mph speed limit for cars and 55mph for Trucks.

As a truck driver I feel this is unsafe. I drive from Ohio to PA and back everyday. and In WVA the speed limit is 70mph with curves and hills. Ohio roads are pretty straight. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

I also drive a truck and have wondered this myself. Michigan recently raised it's truck speed to 60 and cited just what you did. The split was too much and unsafe. I do not have a good answer as to why but both Ohio and Michigan target trucks hard for violations because the fines are a lot higher as opposed to cars.

Answer 2

OHIO'S PERCENTAGE OF IT'S STATE BUDGET FROM TRUCK  VIOLATIONS IS THE HIGHEST OF ANY STATE THE OHIO STATE PATROL TARGETS TRUCKS UNFAIRLY  AS COMPARED TO CARS.FOR THE SAME OFFENCES. THATS WHY 55$$$$$.

Answer 3

It's sheer madness, I tell ya.  Though I did hear "trucker rumor" that a prior governor of Ohio had a kid killed by a speeding truck.  Or something.  At least that's the story on why the law was initially passed.

Try California....a 70/55 mph split, and most of the 4-wheelers do 80 on the interstates, without even a sideways glance from CHP.  Let a trucker DARE to drive 64 mph through the desert, though....

I almost feel like putting a sign on the back of my truck, every time I have to get into the passing lane and inevitably cause a line of cars to drop their speed 15 mph....the sign would say "TIRED OF SLOW TRUCKS HOLDING YOU UP?  CONTACT YOUR STATE & LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES- REPEAL THE 55 MPH SPLIT SPEED LIMIT FOR TRUCKS.  ONE SPEED TRAFFIC FLOW IS SAFER & EASIER FOR ALL.  HAVE A NICE DAY"    

One of these days I'm gonna get by a graphics shop and have a sign made, I'm just afraid of what Cal DOT would say about it LOL.