The trucking industry is the backbone of the U.S. economy. Almost all the goods and commodities you purchase are able to get to you because of truck drivers. However, there has recently been a fierce debate in the industry about speed regulations.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a nationwide truck speed limit using electronic engine devices. Although this law would be put in place to protect the well-being of drivers, it has received a substantial amount of backlash. In this blog, we will inform you of all the essential details of this proposal and how it could affect your operations.
Key Details To Keep In Mind
The first thing to note is that the proposal does not give a specific speed limit to be set. In 2005, the federal government of Canada required speed limiters in commercial trucks which prevented drivers from going over 105 kilometers per hour (around 65 miles per hour), so regulations may be similar in the U.S. It does state though that they’re considering making the rule only apply to commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) manufactured after a certain date.
Additionally, if the proposal is adopted, it would affect CMVs in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight of 11,794 kilograms (26,000 pounds) or more. This move is a follow-up to a 2016 joint proposal between the FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What’s The Purpose Of This Proposal?
Why is the FMCSA in support of this new law being passed? Well, they have said that they are moving forward with this proposal because of growing concerns about fatal CMV accidents. In 2019, there were nearly 900 fatal crashes in the transportation industry. The FMCSA and other trucking agencies like the Trucking Alliance believe that traveling at high speeds over 70 miles per hour plays a role in the number of fatalities.
Reaction From The Trucking Industry
The FMCSA has received over 15,000 comments from the public and opinions are mixed. One of the prominent opposers of the law is the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) which has criticized the idea. An OOIDA statement said the policy would lead to unnecessary congestion which will lead to higher accident rates.
Other comments pointed out that mandating the installation of these devices in trucks would lead to more interactions between passenger cars and truckers, which can create dangerous driving conditions.
Not all comments left on the agency’s website were negative. In fact, truck driver Jerry Tolin Jr. said, “I do think that semi-trucks should be limited to a certain speed maybe 65 to 68 mph because I see a lot of trucks speeding out here. They’re doing 75 miles an hour and 80 mph down the highway and that’s becoming very dangerous.”
Stay Protected No Matter What With Forerunner
To avoid any type of legal issue, it’s vital you stay updated and ready no matter what new laws or regulations may be passed. Our team at Forerunner Insurance can help keep you in the loop with any changes in the industry and ensure your fleet is always protected. For more information on our services, please visit our website and contact us today.
