H-1407              _______________________________________________

                                           HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 4008

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Appelwick and Unsoeld

Read first time 2/6/87 and referred to Committee on Transportation.

TO THE HONORABLE RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION:

          We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

WHEREAS, The national speed limit of 55 miles per hour was established by Congress in 1974 as an energy conservation measure; and

          WHEREAS, The increase fuel efficiency of the nation's motor vehicle fleet has proven very effective in conserving petroleum fuel; and

          WHEREAS, The state of Washington has incentives for carpool, vanpool and public transportation for energy conservation; and

          WHEREAS, Speeding violations are significant on freeways during daylight hours, necessitating expensive, vigorous enforcement by the state; and

          WHEREAS, The use of radar detectors frustrate enforcement of the 55 mile per hour speed limit to a significant extent; and

          WHEREAS, Portions of the Federal Interstate System were designed for speeds in excess of 65 miles per hour; and

          WHEREAS, Portions of the Federal Interstate System constitute a small percentage of daylight accidents and traffic fatalities per vehicle miles traveled; and

          WHEREAS, The added economic cost incurred because of increased travel time reduces productivity; and

          WHEREAS, Enforcement costs along rural areas of the Interstate Highway System is comparatively high and not cost-effective;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Congress amend 23 U.S.C. Sec. 154 to allow for speeds up to 65 miles per hour on certain roadways where highway design and conditions would safely allow the additional speed during daylight hours only for those states that impose a state-wide ban on the sale, possession, and use by motorists of speed radar detectors and improved speed limit enforcement of all roadways.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, the Secretary of Transportation, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.