FMCSA’s Speed Limiter Proposal Gets Pushback

Many trucking industry representatives voiced opposition to a proposed federal rule mandating that commercial trucks use a speed limiter.

The proposed rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) elicited more than 11,000 public comments posted on www.regulations.gov. Many seem to be from the trucking industry, expressing concern about the proposal.

“Our drivers are committed career team members. Please do not force this [speed limiter] box on them,” commented Tim Martin of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, who owns a fleet of nine commercial vehicles.

Martin said the real danger on the roads is not from big rigs, but from lighter vehicles traveling at higher and higher speeds.

In addition, e-logs “have given us fleet owners more control and ability to monitor and correct driver safety,” Martin wrote. “Speed limiters are not needed.”

Other Concerns

A comment by Eskow Trucking LLC of Walton, New York, stated, “Canada saw ZERO improvement in safety after implementing a speed limiter law.”

The commenter also wrote, “Driver retention and attention is another issue with this proposal. Less miles means less pay and absolutely no one can claim that it is unsafe to cross Nevada at 75 mph with an empty truck. A driver governed at 60 mph would be many times more likely to play a video on their phone or simply fall asleep from boredom.”

However, not all truckers are opposed to the speed limiter proposal.

“To save fuel and maintenance costs, I operate at a speed of 60 mph or 1250 rpm on my 2007 C13 Caterpillar motor,” commented Andrew Chaney, a one-truck operator from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “I get longer service intervals and save thousands yearly on fuel. I support a speed limit of 60 mph for all trucks.”

The FMSCA hasn’t decided yet on the maximum speed drivers would be restricted to if the agency enacts the speed limiter requirement.