Minnesota truckers push to put the brakes on current speed limit

Minnesota truck drivers are tired of dealing with skyrocketing gas prices. So they're asking lawmakers to put the brakes on the current speed limit -- establishing a standard 65 miles per hour throughout the country.

"It's going to reduce fuel consumption, reduce gas emission and it's going to make the roads safer," said John Hausladen, the President of the Minnesota Trucking Association.

The association claims that a greater speed differential causes more crashes on the roads. In other words, if trucks slow down while cars continue to cruise at current speeds the roads become more dangerous.

Engineers with the Minnesota Department of Transportation agree with that claim.

"Study after study shows uniform speeds provide the safest conditions," said Amr Jabr, a MNDOT traffic engineer.

But it may be a long time before lawmakers consider changing the speed limit. In a meeting with the state trucking association Thursday, Sen. Amy Klobuchar considered several fuel-saving strategies. But she doesn't see Congress approving a speed limit reduction anytime soon.

"I don't think the public is quite ready to take that step of mandatory speed limit reduction. But I think individuals will start doing it, and then sometimes what happens once you start seeing a change in behaior, we can start looking at that," Klobuchar said, adding that she prefer Congress focus on other options, like developing more biofuels, hybrid and electric vehicles.

Meantime, Rick Dehaan doesn't need a law to change his driving habits. The local truck driver already has reduced his speed -- independently.

"65 isn't all that slow," he said.

By Karla Hult, KARE 11 News Read Karla's Blog

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