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Bill to increase Speed Limit to 80 MPH Withdrawn in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A bill to allow drivers on Oklahoma turnpikes increase their speed to 80 mph has been withdrawn from consideration and may not be heard this year.

Oklahoma City Republican Sen. Ralph Shortey said Thursday that his bill to increase the maximum allowable speed on turnpikes from 75 to 80 mph needs to be rewritten and he may not have time to do so this session.

The bill had been scheduled for a hearing Thursday before being withdrawn.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority spokesman Jack Damrill says the agency opposes the bill because the turnpikes aren't designed for drivers to go that fast.

Shortey says he wants to rewrite the bill to allow the Turnpike Authority to raise the speed limit if it would be safe to do so.