Rockford- Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is expressing his disappointment with Governor Pat Quinn, after his veto of bipartisan legislation that would have created more uniform speed limits on Illinois interstates and tollways.

“When we passed legislation to raise speed limits to 70, it was with the clear intention that it would apply to all interstates and tollways,” said Sen. Syverson. “This bill was meant to clarify that, but now Quinn used his veto power and decided not to apply the new limits to the toll highways and other areas, creating a hodgepodge of different limits that confuse drivers and reduce safety.”

The measure which Syverson co-sponsored, SB2015, would have clarified that no part of interstates or toll highways are considered urban areas for the purposes of setting speed limits. It would also establish that, unless some other speed restriction is established under the Illinois Vehicle Code, the speed limit for any vehicle is 70 miles per hour on any interstate highway as defined in the Code which includes all highways under the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

“For decades, studies have shown that vehicles travelling at a uniform speed are safer,” said Syverson. “Different limits in different areas leads to drivers speeding up and slowing down, which will cause more accidents. Plus, the confusion over different limits causes more motorists to receive speeding tickets.”

Syverson pointed out that in the Governor’s veto message he acknowledged that more than 90% of drivers on the state’s toll highways already travel at 70 mph or more.

“Vetoing this bill won’t cause people to slow down, but signing it would have made the highways safer by moving everyone to a more consistent speed and allowing for more effective enforcement of the speed limit,” Syverson said.

The legislation passed the Senate on a vote of 48 to 6, and the House with 111 yes votes to only 4 nays.

“I have confidence that my colleagues in both chambers will do the right thing by voting to override this veto in the fall,” said Syverson.