While it’s common to hear complaints about friends oversharing on social media, one author has noticed a new trend of silence when it comes to important social and relationship issues. We examine why undersharing on social networks is a bad thing. We also celebrate the birthday of folk legend Lead Belly, and learn about a bill in that would raise the state’s speed limit to 70 mph.
Featured in this Show
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Wisconsin Lawmaker Asserts State Needs To Raise Speed Limits
A state lawmaker who co-authored a new bill to increase Wisconsin’s highway speed limits says that, counterintuitively, doing so will actually make roadways safer.
“The No. 1 reason I’m pursuing this is that it’s all about safety,” said state Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc. “I wouldn’t bring forth this bill if I thought for one minute it actually created an unsafe roadway. I have two grandchildren … I want to make these roads safer for when they come to see us.”
Tittl’s bill would allow the state Department of Transportation to increase speed limits on state highways to 70 mph, up from the current limit of 65 mph. All states surrounding Wisconsin have maximum speed limits of 70 mph or higher. Across the country, 38 states have a speed limit above 65 mph, and a handful of states have limits of 75, 80 and even 85 mph.
Tittl said the 70 mph limit would create a more consistent speed and ultimately safer roadways because it would lead to fewer cars darting between slower-moving traffic. He added that he would leave it to engineers to designate which areas would see faster limits.
In 2013, Purdue University researchers found the likelihood of fatalities and serious injuries didn’t increase when Indiana raised its interstate speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph in 2005. Other studies, however, have produced mixed results.
Tittl said he hopes the bill will be debated early in the legislative session.
“It would be great to have it on the governor’s desk by the end of March for a signature so we can see road changes for the summer tourism season,” he said.
According to Tittl, the DOT annually budgets for sign replacements and additional money would not be required for the new 70 mph signs.
Another proposal to raise Wisconsin’s speed limits passed in the Assembly during the last session, but failed to gain traction in the Senate.
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Lead Belly
In celebration of Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter’s birthday, we talk to an author about the legendary folksinger’s influence on American music.
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Is It Time To Stop Undersharing On Facebook?
It used to be oversharing was what got us into trouble on Facebook, but today, our guest rounds-up some new arguments that make the case that undersharing on Facebook, especially about political and social issues, can be seen as the bigger crime.
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State Legislators Looking Once Again To Raise Speed Limit To 70 mph
Two state legislators have re-introduced a bill that would raise Wisconsin’s speed limit to 70 miles-per-hour. One of the legislators, Representative Paul Tittl, makes the case for the change.
Episode Credits
- Rob Ferrett Host
- Veronica Rueckert Host
- Chris Malina Producer
- Karl Christenson Producer
- Paul Tittl Guest
- Kip Lornell Guest
- Phoebe Maltz Bovy Guest
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