House Bill 389 Summary

• Amends Idaho Code Section 49-654 to revise motor vehicle speed limit provisions

• Establishes maximum speed limits of 35 mph in residential/business/urban districts, 75 mph on interstate highways, 65 mph on state highways, and 55 mph in other locations (up to 70 mph maximum)

• Allows interstate highway speeds to increase to 80 mph and state highway speeds to increase to 70 mph if the Department of Transportation completes an engineering and traffic study concluding the increase is in the public interest and the Transportation Board concurs

• Permits drivers of passenger cars, motorcycles, and pickup trucks (not towing) to exceed posted speed limits by up to 15 mph while passing slower vehicles on two-lane roads with 55+ mph posted limits, excluding construction zones

• Establishes that heavy vehicles with five or more axles operating over 26,000 pounds shall not exceed 10 mph less than lighter vehicles on nonurban interstate highways and 65 mph in urban areas