Windy Boy: Set speed limit at 85 mph

The speed limits on Montana Interstate highways would rise from 75 mph to 85 mph and state two-lane roads would go up from 75 mph to 80 mph under a bill sponsored by state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder.

Three similar bills have been introduced by Republican legislators.

The wide-open spaces of Montana make it safer to drive at higher speeds, Windy Boy said.

Idaho and Wyoming highways have 80 mph limits, he said.

“My district extends from Box Elder east to Culbertson,” he said. “I travel it several times a year.

“Often I go for an hour and never see another car,” he said.

Windy Boy’s bill, along with those introduced by Sens. Scott Sales, R-Bozeman, Mike Miller, R-Helmsville, and Art Wittich, R-Bozeman, were pre-filed for the 2015 legislative session which will be called to order in January.

Windy Boy said he would withdraw his bill if he thought the Republicans would be more successful.

Republicans control both houses of the Legislature.

Speed limits have been controversial in Montana for years.

In 1995, Congress threw out rules that let Washington set speed limits and allowed states to set their own rules.

Montana law said only that drivers were required to drive at a “reasonable and prudent” speed.

Three years later, the Montana Supreme court ruled that was unconstitutionally vague, and the state set a 70 mph limit.

Windy Boy said he has detected strong public support for increasing the speed limits.

While he favors raising limits to 85 mph on interstates, he would agree to 80 mph in a compromise.