Federal Safety Authorities Propose Speed Limiter Devices for Large Commercial Trucks
Speeding trucks are the cause of a significant number of large commercial truck crashes in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle speeds are a crucial factor in traffic safety, and it is estimated that speeding is involved in approximately 31 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes. But what if federal safety officials could put a mechanical limit on every commercial truck that travels the roadways in South Carolina and throughout this country, so that they are unable to speed? How many crashes would be avoided and lives saved? The United States Department of Transportation is proposing just such a policy.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that the NHTSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed equipping heavy-duty vehicles with electronic devices that limit their speeds on the highway. These devices would limit speeds to a maximum somewhere in the range of 60, 65 or 68 miles per hour. The actual speed setting will be based on input from the public and industry stakeholders. The speed limiting devices would be required for all newly manufactured trucks and buses manufactured in the U.S. with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds. The proposed speed governing devices will save lives and conserve fuel, which is good for the environment. FMCSA Administrator Scott Darling contends that the proposal “will save lives while ensuring our nation’s fleet of large commercial vehicles operates efficiently.”
Looking at both sides of the story
Trucking industry Trade groups such as the American Trucking Association has nothing but good things to say about the proposed rulemaking. The ATA has proposed a national speed limit of 65 mph for large commercial trucks.
Conversely, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which represents independent truckers, was not on board with the proposed rule because they feel that it would take control out of the hands of drivers and prevent them from being able to increase speed to avoid a dangerous situation. Todd Spencer, executive VP of OOIDA said, “The government’s proposal to mandate speed limiting devices on large trucks would be dangerous for all highway users. Such devices create speed differentials that lead to more crashes and promote road rage among other motorists.”
Limiting the speed on large trucks, if the proposed rule is adopted, will help increase the safety on our highways in South Carolina and throughout the United States considerably, while also eliminating many needless deaths that occur when huge commercial trucks collide with smaller, passenger vehicles on the road. At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, we support any measures that will help keep South Carolina motorists safe from harm.
If you have been injured, or you have lost a loved one in a truck crash that was caused by a speeding truck, you may want to have a conversation with a South Carolina truck accident attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC. The consultation is free, and you can discover how to begin the process of pursuing compensation for your injuries and any other losses you may have suffered. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work pursuing compensation on your behalf. Call 803-327-7800 or fill out our contact form today to find out more.
Randy is the former President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. He has been certified by the American Board of Professional Liability as a specialist in Medical Malpractice Law which is recognized by the South Carolina Bar. Randy has also been awarded the distinction of being a “Super Lawyer” 10 times in the last decade. He has over 25 years of experience helping injured people fight back against corporations, hospitals and wrong-doers.
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