page 2
daily nebraskan
tuesday, January 27, 1981
National speed limit disputed
Chambers asserts interstates made for speed
By Patti Gallagher
Talk to Ernie Chambers about speed limits and radar
devices and he might show you his driving record. It
shows he has no points against his license.
Then ask him why he's showing it to you and he might
tell you it's to prove that his bills to increase the speed
limit and restrict radar are not motivated by a bad driving
record.
Last week, Chambers, a state senator from Omaha, in
troduced in the Legislature a bill to change the interstate
speed limit from 55 mph to 65 mph.
Contrary to what opponents say, the change would
both increase safety and save fuel. Chambers said.
Interstates are engineered for speed, Chambers said.
The double lanes, medians, longer curves and lack of ob
stacles makes them efficient at higher speeds, he said.
A higher .interstate speed limit would encourage driv
ers to leave other roads and use the interstate. Chambeis
said.
As for fuel conservation. Chambers said, lower speed
limits cause constant stops and starts that waste gas.
Tried before
Although similar legislation sponsored by Chambers in
the 1976-77 session was not approved, failing final reading
by two votes, Chambers said he thinks I.B143 has a good
chance of passing this year. After all. he's got the Repub
lican Party behind him, he said.
The Party's campaign platform promised to abolish
the federally mandated 55 mph limit. The action is sup
ported by Sen. S. I. Hayakawa, 1) Calif., who is sponsor
ing legislation to remove the 55 mph law and let each
state set its own speed limit.
The U.S. Transportation Secretary also supports allow
ing each state to set its own limits. Chambers said.
Chambers said there is a threat of losing federal aid.
but he doesn't believe that will happen.
In the past, when Nebraska law has been contrary to
federal law, he said, federal aid has not been repealed.
The Nebraska laws removing the motorcycle helmet re
quirement and the use of state money to repair federal
roads are two examples, he said. Both moves were spons
ored by Chambers.
State and national highway fatality fugures have been
used in the support of the 55 mph limit.
Figures questioned
Most figures show that deaths have decreased since the
speed limit was lowered nationally to 55 mph in 1974.
Prior to 1974, the limit was 75 mph on Interstate KO,
which crosses Nebraska.
Chambers said, however, that the figures are drawn
from total road fatalities. Deaths on highways and city
streets account for the greates number of fatalities, he
said.
LB413 would strengthen regulations on what Chamb
ers called "junk radar." Present radar is not reliable and
police officers are not properly trained to use it, he said.
The bill specifies that officers be properly trained,
radar equipment be tested before use, an officer visually
observe a speeding vehicle, and offenders be allowed to
observe the recorded speed on the radar device.
Chambers who has challenged the use of radar before,
said most radar equipment i: inaccurate.
Chambers most recent involvement with radar came to
court in May of 1980. Although Chambers was clocked
at 66 mph by radar, the charge could not be proved in
court.
"Every time I've gone up against them I've won," he
said.
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