Illinois puts brakes on truck speeds

Truckers in Illinois won’t be pressing the gas pedal closer to the floor now that lawmakers failed to eliminate the state’s two-tiered speed limit.

The Illinois Legislature had passed a measure allowing big trucks to travel at 65 mph, the same as passenger cars, on rural highways and interstates. But Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed the bill last fall, and the House fell short of the votes needed to overturn the veto. The truck speed limit will continue to be 55 mph.

Proponents argued that speed differentials lead to crashes. But AAA worked against changing the truck speed limit in Illinois because studies indicate that states that eliminate such differentials experience more fatal crashes involving big rigs.

AAA’s member benefits changing

Because of changes in state laws regarding traffic arrests and changes in the way people shop, AAA is altering two of the services that it offers to members.

Due to the adoption of the Nonresi-dent Violator Compact (NRVC) by 46 states and the District of Columbia–under which motorists cited for violations in a state that is a member of NRVC do not need to post bail before being allowed to proceed–the need for bail bonds for minor traffic arrests has diminished to the point that they are no longer a needed service justifying the expense. There-fore, AAA will discontinue its bail bond benefit on Jan. 1, 2008, but will continue to offer the Guaranteed Arrest Bond.

If arrested for a covered, minor traffic violation and the amount of bail is $1,000 or less, members can present the Guaranteed Arrest Bond certificate in lieu of cash to get out of jail. Members can pick up a Guaranteed Arrest Bond certificate at any AAA service office, or it can be printed off the AAA Web site, www.AAA.com. Just click on the membership tab for a printable copy.

In addition, with the increasing use of credit cards, ATM cards and prepaid Travel Money cards, the sale of traditional travelers checks has been decreasing for many years. As a result, beginning on Jan. 1, 2008, the Club will no longer offer traditional travelers checks for sale but will continue to offer prepaid travel money cards at all AAA service offices.