FRANKFORT — Hubert Collins does not share the same need for speed as some of his colleagues and constituents.

        As chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Mr. Collins effectively stopped legislation in 2000 to increase speed limits in Kentucky, and he appears inclined to do so again this year.

        Two bills have already been filed to increase the speed limit on limited-access interstates and parkways from 65 mph to 70 mph. Mr. Collins said other proposals floating around the General Assembly would raise the limits for passenger vehicles, but not for trucks. Others would make some changes on four-lane roads that are not limited-access. And one would place a uniform limit of 35 mph on residential and business streets.

        “So you can see there's an inconsistency on what people want to do,” said Mr. Collins, D-Wittensville.

        Mr. Collins' opposition to increasing speed limits puts him at odds with his counterpart on the Senate Transportation Committee, Virgil Moore, R-Leitchfield. The disagreement threatened to torpedo other bills last session.

        The Kentucky State Police are opposed to faster speed limits.

        “We feel like the states that have had increases in their speed limits have also had increases in fatality rates,” said State Police Deputy Commissioner John Lile.

        Statistics already show a connection between speed and death on the highways. Law enforcement authorities cited unsafe speed as a factor in one-fourth of the fatal accidents in Kentucky in 1999, the factor most often cited.

        According to the Kentucky Transportation Center at the University of Kentucky, most passenger vehicles travel at least 73 mph on rural interstates and parkways. the study found that tractor-trailers with more than three axles averaged 69 mph.

        The center has recommended increasing the speed limit to 70 mph on rural interstates with similar increases on some other roads for passenger vehicles. Truck lim its would remain at 65.

        Ken Agent, one of the authors of the UK study, said speed limits that are too far below actual driving practices become irrelevant.

        Rep. Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, has a proposal to also set statewide residential speed limits. That could conflict with some local jurisdictions, which have lowered limits in subdivisions.

        Mr. Collins took a different tack on the popular topic of regulating the use of cellular telephones by drivers. The issue was raised in 2000 but roundly criticized.

        “What about eating sandwiches, drinking coffee and putting on makeup?” Mr. Collins asked. “I don't think it's a major issue as causing accidents.”

        Other traffic safety legislation that could come up when the legislative session resumes Feb. 6 would require safety belts in school buses and make not wearing safety belts a primary offense. As it is now, law enforcement officers can cite drivers and passengers for not wearing seat belts only if they are stopped for some other reason.

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