From an Idaho Department of Transportation Facebook post.
Heavy trucks can now travel up to 80 mph on Idaho highways, matching the speed limit for passenger vehicles where posted. The goal of the change is to reduce crashes caused by speed differences between passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks.
Even with the updated speed limit, safety still comes down to drivers making smart decisions behind the wheel:
. Don’t linger in truck blind spots
. Give large vehicles extra space
. Allow more stopping distance
. Be patient when passing
Big trucks need more time and space to react and small decisions can make a big difference on the road. Some trucks, RVs, and people pulling trailers can't go 80, so continue to watch out for slower moving vehicles.
Years ago, Montana used to have no posted speed limit for cars on certain highways. I biked through that state several times during cross country bike tours and survived thanks to wide shoulders and light traffic volumes. Trucks still had to go slower.
I think they now have a speed limit again.
Back then, the speed limit was "reasonable and prudent." This was determined by law enforcement at the scean when someone was pulled over for speeding.
I remember talking to a waitress, while eating in a Bellingham restaurant, who said she was given a ticket for speeding in montana when she was driving at 100 mph.
Yes, I prefer the slower pace, but most Americans value speed. It may make sense to have the same speed limit as cars. Slow trucks mixed in with fast cars might create more hazards due to impatience when passing. Also Americans do like quick service in the flow of products.
At the same time, trucks tend to be unpopular among the general public. This unpopularity is another case of people "wanting their cake and eating it too." As long as automobiles and highways remain our main transportation system, trucks are part of the mix.
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