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07/29/2005 Archived Entry: "Ohio Speed Limits"

Okay, tell me ... what is the speed limit for motorcoaches on interstates in Ohio?

For years, Ohio has had the most confusing speed limit signs of any state in eastern US. The signs show 65 MPH, but then on either a separate sign right beside it (see photo) or in wording below the speed limit, the signs try to explain that the speed limit is just 55 MPH for certain vehicles: "Vehicles over 4 tons empty, non com buses." Hmmmm ... my bus is over 4 tons empty, obviously -- but it's not a non com (non-commercial?) bus, so it's an exception to the sign? That's the way I've always read it. I've gone through Ohio radar at 65 MPH or slightly over many times and have never been stopped, the same experience as many drivers I've talked to. But it's still confusing; have you ever seen a non com bus UNDER 4 tons? I haven't, unless you're talking about a van, maybe ... but I wouldn't call that a bus, even if it had bus plates.

Well, perhaps it's becoming a moot point. On my trip to Ohio last week, I discovered that Ohio is covering up that confusing jargon on at least some of the interstates. Routes 76 and 80, the Ohio Turnpike, have already covered it -- all that remains is the 65 MPH speed limit (see right photo). That would also mean now that trucks are up to the same speeds as everyone else, a move I would say is safer than keeping them 10 MPH below cars (which they tend not to obey anyway!). However, the signs haven't been changed everywhere yet -- routes 77, 71, and a few others still have the old signs.

Replies: 1 Comment

See my followup post on Ohio speedlimits made on 9/11/05. The changes are just on the Ohio Turnpike.

Posted by Bob Bergey @ 09/11/2005 06:47 PM EST