COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Data shows the number of crashes and the amount of commercial traffic reported along the Ohio Turnpike rose slightly during the first six months of its higher 70 mph speed limit compared with the same period last year.
The speed limit for the 241-mile toll road in northern Ohio increased from 65 mph to 70 mph in April. Supporters of the change hoped it would lure trucks back to the toll road from parallel routes that are less suited for large vehicle traffic. The Ohio Trucking Association opposed the change and said it might lead to more crashes.
The turnpike's interim executive director says it's as a good sign that truck traffic is up even though passenger traffic dropped slightly.