NJ police union president supports 70 mph speed limit on some roads

The head of the state's largest police union said he would support raising New Jersey's speed limit to 70 mph, but only on certain highways.

Patrick Colligan, the president of the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association, on Friday told New Jersey 101.5 morning host Bill Spadea that a higher speed limit could make sense in places such as Interstate 195 and Interstate 295.

But he also worried about drivers going too fast on congested roads.

"You know, there are people that drive 70-75 no matter what the traffic is doing, and it’s incredibly dangerous," Colligan said. "But I think if you look at some of the highways and just look at some of the traffic studies on those highways, I could see 70 miles an hour.”

If it happens in New Jersey, it shouldn't be statewide, Colligan said. Some highways are too crowded, he said.

"When you get north of maybe the Woodbridge area, especially on the Parkway, I can’t see it going up to 70 miles an hour," Colligan said.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike voted this week to expand its 70 mph speed limit to most of that road this spring.

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth, told New Jersey 101.5 on Thursday that he is actively pursuing a similar proposal for New Jersey.