Lamar representative wants to increase highway speed limit

Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Lamar, has filed a bill which would increase the speed limit on highways.

HB 235 would raise the limit from 70 to 75 miles per hour.

If House Bill 295 passes, stretches of I-44 and I-49 would be considered for a speed limit increase. Kelley said increasing the speed limit would improve the flow of traffic and make traveling smoother. When asked whether a speed limit increase would also increase fatalities, Kelley said he has no concern.

"A lot of the data that I have seen actually shows that increase speeds cause a reduction in fatalities. Currently people travel the speed that they feel safe. And our roads are actually designed to handle speeds very comfortably at 75 to 80 miles an hour," Kelley said.

The video is from KOLR News.