1. “I Can’t Drive 55” (Highways to Hedonism)

2. US 68 – Speed Limits Request by Logan Economic Alliance for Development in February 2011 Request by Logan Economic Alliance for Development in February 2011 Request for speed limits “higher” than 55 MPH Request for speed limits “higher” than 55 MPH Approval of Warren, Logan, Todd, Christian, and Trigg County Judge-Executives Approval of Warren, Logan, Todd, Christian, and Trigg County Judge-Executives

3. Reasoning? Need to reflect high quality and design of corridor Need to reflect high quality and design of corridor “Lumped” with other lesser roads in 55 MPH category “Lumped” with other lesser roads in 55 MPH category Favorably impact mapping calculations (currently 79 to Clarksville) Favorably impact mapping calculations (currently 79 to Clarksville) Increase economic activity Increase economic activity Need to identify corridor as connector from I-65 to I-24 Need to identify corridor as connector from I-65 to I-24

5. Cabinet’s Response? Division agreed with development group Division agreed with development group KTC Research (1997) KTC Research (1997) –Suggested 60 MPH was reasonable speed limit for rural, four- lane roadways –Differential speed limit for trucks and vehicles Posted speed limit has nothing to do with design speed Posted speed limit has nothing to do with design speed Normally such roadways are relatively safe Normally such roadways are relatively safe

6. Not So Fast… (excuse the pun) KRS 189.390: KRS 189.390: (5) (b) The alteration of speed limits on state highways within a city or a county shall not be effective until the alteration has been approved by the secretary of transportation. The secretary shall not approve any alteration that could increase any speed limit established by subsection (3)(b) or (c) of this section in excess of fifty-five (55) miles per hour.

7. 2012 Legislative Session HB 333 – 60 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Trigg/Christian County line HB 333 – 60 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Trigg/Christian County line HB 376 – 60 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Marshall/Trigg County line HB 376 – 60 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Marshall/Trigg County line SB 181 – 65 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Trigg/Marshall County line SB 181 – 65 MPH speed limit on US 68 from Natcher Parkway to Trigg/Marshall County line

8. Division’s Comments Legislation should establish maximum speed limit as opposed to posted speed limit Legislation should establish maximum speed limit as opposed to posted speed limit Should be modified to apply to all rural, multi- lane roadways Should be modified to apply to all rural, multi- lane roadways

9. Speed Limit Law KRS 189.390: KRS 189.390: (5) (a) A city or a county may by ordinance establish speed limits within its own jurisdiction, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection. (b) The alteration of speed limits on state highways within a city or a county shall not be effective until the alteration has been approved by the secretary of transportation. The secretary shall not approve any alteration that could increase any speed limit established by subsection (3)(b) or (c) of this section in excess of fifty-five (55) miles per hour.

10. Engineering Study Approximately 59 total miles through 5 counties Approximately 59 total miles through 5 counties Design Speed – mostly 60 MPH Design Speed – mostly 60 MPH 85 th Percentile Speeds: 85 th Percentile Speeds: –District 1 – 61 to 62.5 MPH –District 2 – 61.3 to 65.5 MPH –District 3 – 64 to 70 MPH Crash Data/Critical CRF’s (one-mile segments) Crash Data/Critical CRF’s (one-mile segments) –Trigg County (intersection of KY 181), CRF=1.08 –Logan/Warren County line, CRF=1.21

12. Political Comments “We live in God’s country out here, and the faster people can get here, the better for them.” “We live in God’s country out here, and the faster people can get here, the better for them.” “This will be good for attracting visitors as well as for economic development…I hope other communities with a slower speed limit will maintain those for the safety of the public.” “This will be good for attracting visitors as well as for economic development…I hope other communities with a slower speed limit will maintain those for the safety of the public.”

13. Topix Comments “This is the dumbest thing the state has done in a long time!” (Dumb) “This is the dumbest thing the state has done in a long time!” (Dumb) “Best idea in a long time. There won’t be any problems as long as people quit acting like stop signs don’t exist. Might as well make it 75 that way you don’t have a chance to just limp away.” (hell2dano) “Best idea in a long time. There won’t be any problems as long as people quit acting like stop signs don’t exist. Might as well make it 75 that way you don’t have a chance to just limp away.” (hell2dano) “The speed limit has been 65 for a long time, the only people that didn’t recognize that was the government.” (Super Nucking Futs) “The speed limit has been 65 for a long time, the only people that didn’t recognize that was the government.” (Super Nucking Futs) “Brashears sucks.” (Man up) “Brashears sucks.” (Man up) “Kentucky has lost it, The people that running this state are soooooo DUMB!” (speeding) “Kentucky has lost it, The people that running this state are soooooo DUMB!” (speeding) “It Was nice going 70 on that road it gets you where you need to go so much quicker.” (so right) “It Was nice going 70 on that road it gets you where you need to go so much quicker.” (so right)

14. Elves’ Comments “Increasing the speed limit is just going to allow people to leave Logan County more quickly to spend their money in Bowling Green instead of our friendly neighborhood small businesses like Walmart.” (Elves) “Increasing the speed limit is just going to allow people to leave Logan County more quickly to spend their money in Bowling Green instead of our friendly neighborhood small businesses like Walmart.” (Elves) “Married men will now be tempted to go to strip clubs like Overtime and Tattle Tales in Bowling Green knowing that they can speed back before the rest of the family gets back from Wednesday night church service.” (Elves) “Married men will now be tempted to go to strip clubs like Overtime and Tattle Tales in Bowling Green knowing that they can speed back before the rest of the family gets back from Wednesday night church service.” (Elves) “Elves comments may be the dumbest (blank) thing I’ve ever heard. First overtime is far from a strip club and nobody is speeding to get to tattle tales.” (smarter than you) “Elves comments may be the dumbest (blank) thing I’ve ever heard. First overtime is far from a strip club and nobody is speeding to get to tattle tales.” (smarter than you) “Every time you pass a speed limit sign now, you’ll see the number 6, which is the number of Satan!” (Elves) “Every time you pass a speed limit sign now, you’ll see the number 6, which is the number of Satan!” (Elves) “But that’s no problem, because all these (blank) liberals will just raise our taxes to pay for this highway to hedonism!” (Elves) “But that’s no problem, because all these (blank) liberals will just raise our taxes to pay for this highway to hedonism!” (Elves)

15. What Does This Mean? Cabinet is not interesting in widespread posting of 65 MPH speed limits Cabinet is not interesting in widespread posting of 65 MPH speed limits US 68 will be the rare case US 68 will be the rare case Significant support of local officials Significant support of local officials More than just moving traffic More than just moving traffic