The Nation : Dole for 65-M.P.H. Limit

Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Hanford Dole said she favors a 65-m.p.h. speed limit, but her proposal would apply to a much smaller portion of the interstate highway system than legislation passed by the Senate. Testifying before the House transportation appropriations subcommittee, which is considering a bill that would leave the 55 m.p.h. limit intact, Dole said she would favor the increase on rural stretches of the system traveled by 10,000 vehicles or less per day, about one-third of the nation’s interstate system. Under the Senate bill, states could increase limits on portions of interstates outside urbanized areas with 50,000 people or less, about three-fourths of the interstate system. Dole’s comments marked the Reagan Administration’s most specific reaction to moves in Congress to increase the nation’s speed limits.