Topeka ? The House gave first-round approval Monday to a bill authorizing a 75 mph speed limit on four-lane divided highways where motorists currently may drive 70 mph.

Officials of the Kansas Department of Transportation have said they would probably post a 75 mph limit only on rural sections of interstate highways. Roads lacking medians or barriers would not qualify.

Proponents of the bill say some drivers now detour around Kansas so they can drive 75 mph in some other state — for example, on Interstate 80 across Nebraska.

The House advanced the bill to a final vote without debate. The measure won Senate approval last month but with slightly different language on the effects of speeding tickets.

Speeding violations — which affect auto insurance rates — currently are noted on a driver’s record only if he or she were going at least 10 mph above a posted limit of 55 mph or more.

The House bill would keep the 10 mph buffer intact, but the Senate’s version narrows the buffer to just 5 mph in 75 mph zones.

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Les Donovan, R-Wichita, opposes the 10 mph buffer and said he would force negotiations on the bill rather than accept the House language.

——

Speed limit is SB 384.