The head of the American Trucking Association, Bill Graves, is pushing the federal government to stop dragging its heels on the mandatory speed limiter issue. The ATA has asked the DOT to move forward with a rule that would make speed limiters that top out at 65 mph mandatory in all large commercial trucks.
In 2011 the DOT announced that they would start formulating a rule for speed limiters, but the ATA has been pushing for the work to go faster, even petitioning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to set their own requirements for large commercial vehicles back in 2006.
So why is the ATA pushing so hard for this? According to the ATA, installing speed limiters would improve safety and save carriers money with increased fuel efficiency and reduced repair costs.
The ATA says that Speed is a factor in almost 30% of all fatal accidents and is the primary cause in 18% of all fatal accidents where the truck was found at fault. It is hard to argue that vehicles driving faster make them safer, but when there is a large difference between how fast trucks are driving and how fast the vehicles around them are driving, “safe” speeds can become unsafe.
It’s possibly because of this that the ATA is also asking for a national speed limit of 65 mph for ALL vehicles, but that is a much, MUCH larger fight. Even assuming the ATA is eventually able to win that battle, there will be a lot of time in between where trucks will be held to one speed limit while cars are whipping past them and weaving around them going 20 mph faster – and the truck driver will be unable to speed up even if the situation requires it.
Despite that, the ATA is asking for the DOT to require that “speed limiters on all large trucks be set in order to electronically limit their top speed to no more than 65 mph.”
Trucks going 65 mph and cars going 85 mph don’t mix well.
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In other news. The ATA will be petitioning to change the law of gravity as it gives some companies an unfair advantage in fuel economy,,,,
Film at 11.
65 mph? Why not 62? While traveling out west on America’s open roads I have found THAT the ideal speed to FALL ASLEEP TO!!! God forbid Ford’s idea is looking better and better . . . just ‘ave The Truck read the speed sign and just hold the “drive observer” to it!!
At one time about 25 years ago they were talking about putting cables and sensors in the roads that would not only limit speed, but would help overt accidents by applying brakes and counter steering. Maybe they are trying to re-introduce that one little step at a time. Then you could get in your 10 hour break with out having to stop the truck. It would be great for the “New Generation of Steering Wheel Holders” coming out of the Truck Driver Puppy Mills like Swi_t, Wern_r, Engla_d, J B Hu_t, Schneid_r and all the others.
The driver puppy mills are all those who used to be on welfare. I would rather pay them to be on welfare because they suck as steering wheel holders and probably shouldn’t even be riding a tricycle
thankyou well put and i will second that
Looks like I no longer support the ATA! Setting a speed limit is one thing, forcing it is another.
You never should have in the first place. The ATA was never on your side – they’re a lobby representing some of the biggest bottom feeders in this industry. This isn’t about safety – it’s about forcing everyone else down to their level.
Exactly. I work for one of the bottom feeders. Western express. And feel guilty about contributing to the decline of what i understand was once a decent profession. Sorry man. I gotta eat though.
My thoughts precisely. I have never supported the ATA. And I never will.
This is absolutely insane, and extremely unsafe. When I first started driving a semi-truck and had a vehicle set to 70MPH, I told the person riding with me I am happy with that speed. Then, not even a week later, I realized the bad situations I was in when trying to get over or pass someone in the many potentially dangerous situations truckers experience every day. A huge problem with truck driving is the rude drivers that block and try to cut us off every day, and more driver training needs to be provided on that level. Though lots of damage is done at high speeds, it is absolutely necessary for truckers to have the ability to travel at speeds higher than 65MPH for sure. The need to cut this nonsense out.
How many of those speed related accidents are caused by trucks that are governed. I see governed trucks fly through places were the speed is 55 to make up for time.
Daniel, I was in West Virginia on I-64 headed to Lexington KY about 14 years ago… I got about 3 miles from the KY line and it had just sprinkled a tiny little bit on a road that had just been paved that morning. I went down a hill and the road curved to the right. The speed limit was 55. I was going 55. (My truck was governed at 62.) A red Dodge Durango got beside me going about 56 mph, and all of a sudden he punched it- getting to 65 or so before he was clear of me. I wondered what he was getting out of the way of and looked in my mirror. I saw only white- my trailer was slipping onto the grass down into the median. All 8 trailer tires were completely in the wet grass. I felt the trailer drive tires start to pull to the median and I knew a rollover was imminent. If not for the Durango punching his throttle to alert me of danger, I would have rolled. I immediately reacted by punching the throttle and moving to the median shoulder for traction, and the trailer pulled back in line behind me. I slowed to 20 mph and crossed back to the shoulder side of the road and baby-stepped my way out of there where the oily fresh pavement ended at the state line, then resumed my speed of 55. If my truck was governed, say, at 55, I would have rolled. Another time i had to punch it near Tacoma Washington when someone shot my windshield with a rifle. I just wanted to get out of there fast. Governing trucks is a safety factor, and if there is a differential between car and truck speeds, it makes it severely dangerous. But… what do we do about the outlaws who routinely travel 80 or 90 no matter what the speed limit is?
The cruise control passing jams will be quite interesting.
truckers need to shut down for 30 days or until a new system is installed- just park the truck where it is..
Good idea, but it will never work.
I agree. I’ve out here over 40 years and shutdowns have been tried before and were a waste of time.
No kidding, wasn’the it Reagan that stepped in on one that looked like it actually was going to happen? That was back in the day when we were looked at as an important part of keeping the economy moving. Now everyone looks at us as desperados that shouldn’t even be sharing the roads with 4 wheelers. I started in 83′ and it is getting crazier each month. I am sick of the 4 wheeler games and complaints. We should have starved Chicago out back in the 80’s… I can’that wait to hang it up.
shut downs will never work the best way to make a point is in baby steps like the goverment does just look around logs for starters, then satalite tracking, then hours of service, then eobr’s, see how they get it done and we need to start by just taking a long weekend off, at blits time be good park at all the scales rest areas, pull out the bbq and invite any one that would like to join us. Many local people would come out to meet and enjoy a bbq as well we could also do an info meet and the goverment can not push us back to work as we are entitled to time off as well “ops we did it all together” and the public will not be mad at us for the most part cause they join us for a great time bbq,entertainment “many of us do something” what a party
You must be a Newby, Truckers Shutting Down for 30 Days get real.
It looks like Bill Graves needs to be forced to find another job.
Funny…the ATA is “supposed” to be FOR CMV DRIVERS!!?? With split speed limits deemed UNSAFE, how can speed limiters be any more safe, when 4-wheelers are zipping in and outta traffic and, around big trucks, STILL? Sometimes, in an emergency situation especially, when merging traffic pretty much INSISTS they are coming onto a highway regardless of a big truck or, not!! Times like that, you NEED that little bit of oooomph to get out of their way!!!! ATA…you SUCK!!!! Glad I’m out..this just gives me another reason to NOT COME BACK!!!! IT’S JUST NOT SAFE!!!!
You are absolutely WRONG! The ATA is an association on companies that are trucking companies and companies that own their own fleets. It has NOTHING to do with supporting drivers.
Yes they are in the pockets of the big carriers,,NOT THE OWNER OPS NOR THE SMALLER TRUCKING CO. LETS GET REAL HERE !
Your. Right Matt Its to bad so many drivers thank. The ATA. is for truckers. I have only been out here since 1990 and have never seen the ATA do anything in the favor of the truck driver.
Its about time. The mega-carriers, who back the ATA, have demonstrated with their impeccable safety records, incredible on-time service records, and over-qualified drivers that its the speed limiters that make everyone safe. Let’s ignore the fact that 80 percent of accidents are the cars fault. Who cares about the 1/2 mile back up between two governed trucks? When I’m behind those company trucks struglling to pass each other I think “man, this company cares about my safety and isn’t concerned about a level playing field at all.” Thank you Bill Graves, for being a visionary in the transportation industry. With intelligence and aptitude like that, what’s next? Cure cancer? Resolve the middle east conflict? If the governors mean less fuel is burnt and one more caribou lives another day, then we have succeeded.
If they force passenger vehicles first then I’d gladly abide.
You need sent for a drug test . Read your post and think about the consequences. Your personal car and your Commercial unit. Safety can’t be fixed by that type of mandate. Especially when you give up your rights.
He’s saying that if they want to try and level the playing field, then LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD. None of these half measures, if a ruling is safe for trucks, then it’s safe for cars, too. If they don’t want to pass that ruling on the general public, then leave my truck the hell alone.
I’ve been hearing a lot from the ata in the past few days and they have nothing better to do than piss people off and cost o/o more money. 1st hair testing is not a reliable method for drug testing and much more expensive,and I’m not willing to pay for it. 2nd my truck can run wide open but I choose to run 62mph. Again I’m not willing to pay and have my speec limited for many reasons. Bill graves is becoming a pain in the neck and like Fox he should also resign, I feel that his end is hear, out with the old and in with the new.
I, am also an O/O. I too can run wide open, but simply choose to stay at or below 65. mostly cause the traffic in and around Austin Texas is horrible. I also am at near gross on each trip, so going slower, allows better stopping
ATA should mind third own business, if their members want to cur truck speeds let them don’t say it’s safer because studies (AFAs own studies) prove differently.
The ATA has lost it’s damn mind. The split speed limits are unsafe, the regulations we are under now are ridiculous, and the industry is nothing but hoards of students because they are the only one with a CSA point free cdl- until they screw up.
The Province of Ontario set mandatory speed limiting for ALL commercial vehicles with computer controlled engines at 105 kph (65 mph) many years ago. It is illegal to drive ANY commercial vehicle into the province if its computer will allow any more speed than that. It must not be in any way “switchable”. You know when you are sharing the road with someone else who just came through ON, as they are all sitting on the road at EXACTLY the same speed. Ever tried passing a 63mph vehicle on a 2 way road when your truck can only go 65???? To say that it is dangerous is an understatement.
Hey Pat. Being also from Ontario I know all the back roads speed limits are either 80kph(50mph) or 90kph(55mph). If the truck ahead of is already doing 63mph(101kph) he is already speeding above the either 80 or 90 kph limit. And you want to go faster? Think about farmers travelling slow…some old lady on her way to a church function or school buses and small kids outside playing. Back roads are far more dangerous with curves not rated for highway speeds also.
In 28 years I have never heard once of a car rear ending a truck due to speed differential unless they were impaired in some way so even in that case they are at fault. Some one else stated about other vehicles entering a ramp and being able to accelerate to get clear. My thought is you are already in a situation where if traffic is heavy and there isn’t much room to maneuver. And some guys want to be able to speed up to get clear? To me that’s putting yourself and other at a higher risk.
Look. I hate the limiters also. My reason is if I get behind I can get on it a bit to catch up and make up some time. I do most of my travelling at night when traffic is lighter and the risk is lower. When I am driving during the day I NEVER go above 100kph(62mph) anywhere. It amazes me the number of rookie and experienced drivers that suck at time and space management that feel the need to tailgate me before they can pass. Perhaps paying more attention to whats going on would prevent this.
In reality what this is all about is the fact that drivers being extremely independent do not like being told what to do.
Speed limiters should be used only in cases where accident history and repeated violators demonstrate that because they are reckless that they need to have some sort of control.
In the end here I will quote a very famous man and this applies to both sides of the argument:
Mark Twain- Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.
Just one more of a whole host of reasons I got out after only one year of OTR. I salute truckers for the sacrifices they make and for all the c rap they have to put up with. Regulation and restriction put on us “evil, vile truckers” is what is going to force this industry into the same category as others who are only manned by illegals and cheap labor.
Hey government and corporations, you get what you pay for when it comes to quality. And that covers more than just a bogus pay rate. When you make it painful for professional drivers to even do their job with a modicum of assured safety, you’re going to lose “your most valuable asset.”. What a load of excrement … .
I guess it’s time I retire, the ATA has never been about drivers it’s always been about big companies and they have always been about putting the owner operator out of business
Let’s use Texas as a prime example. They used to have split speeds like that. They got rid of it and reduced they accident rate to almost nothing. Their split speed now is night n day. Jus’sayin…
Texas doesn’t even do split speed for night and day anymore, either.
Set the speed limiters on Bill Graves cars to no more than 62 mph. And how he likes it!!!! Also SET all cars made after 2016 to 65 MPH.
I like the idea of shutting down let me know when. Maybe they can learn to drive and be safe then
If the speed limiters are to be electronic, then the limiter could have a 3 minute exemption on a double acceleration pump. For those that like the increased speeds that the western states afford and that Illinois recently set, 70 m.p.h., I have to agree with the ATA, that 65 m.p.h. is satisfactory even though I drive a Ford F250D that is quite capable of going 70-75 mph. The facts are that there are already many big trucks that are speed limited, some at 62 M.P.H. and that increases speeds of the other trucks to 70 m.p.h. just incites many car drivers to go faster and that I believe is the real untold story.
Huh?
Ok Thomas, I think it’s time for you to take that F250 to the nearest doctor and have your brain examined.
Fine, set it to 65. Better yet set it to 55 we will hold up the highways and expressways passing. The truck I drive now is set at 65 and it pisses people off now as it is. I had some clown brandish a gun once in Indiana because I couldn’t get out of his way fast enough..this is going to be nothing but trouble.
Of course the ATA has always been about big companies. It’s their CEO’s that making up the ATA. They want limiters to stop independents from hauling a lot of that high dollar freight that they get because they’ll run 75.
If every is stuck at the same speed they can undercut the rate, but still make huge profits and force more independents and small companies out of business.
How is my 140′ long 16′ wide ass supposed to get out of the right lane and shoulder for the next narrow bridge or broke down 4 wheeler when everyone is taking 4.3 hours to pass me? Its not safe.
65mph is way to fast… I think 25mph is much safer.. Better yet I’m just going to park my truck because driving it might be unsafe…
The DOT already put speed limiters on all our vehicles. It is called the speed limit. There are signs everywhere. When they get automobiles to drive the posted speed limit, my speed would not be a factor, because i would be doing the same speed.
Smartest comment yet!!
Hey, Mr. Graves, let us worry about our maintenance and fuel cost!
we don’t welcome or need your “nanny” style intrusion.
In addition, we, the driving public, could utilize a little more common sense with the way we operate our vehicles. need I point out the “ignorance” on both sides?
That’s right since when has started paying any part of our fuel bills
ATA = Anti Trucker Association
They are a lobbyist group for the giant mega trucking companies. Their purpose is to put Independent Owner operator out of business with rules and regulations that only they would benefit from. Pushing for mandatory EOBR and 65 mile an hour are just 2 examples of their lobbyist efforts.
Another goal is cheap foreign labor. Watch in the coming years as they tighten the noose around American drivers pay with medical regualtions and cause a shortage that they will claim only cheap foriegn labor can fix. Do you seriously think a Clinton or a Bush would turn down money from this group?
In their eyes we make too much money. They drool at what the billionaire tech companies are acheiving with H1B visas.
ATA = Anti Trucker Association
Then this will be my last ecm truck. Like most of the people I run with, most don’t have this problem.
This is why EVERY driver out there should be supporting OOIDA. Even if you work for a carrier that is a member of the ATA, you should be supporting yourself, your income, and your freedoms. Only OOIDA can help with this.
You’ve got to be kidding right?!? So if 18% of traffic fatalities involving commercial vehicles are caused by speed then what is causing the OTHER 72%? No need to focus on the MAJORITY, just commercial vehicles speed because it’s always our fault. Instead of having 65% of fleet truck governed at 65 mph clogging up the highways now you want ALL of us competing for the same 75 feet of asphalt. Real smart. Why don’t you do something about the REAL problem on our highways – Handheld communication devices!!! The states pass stupid laws they can’t even hope to enforce. It’s now almost safer for people to own guns than it is a smart phone! Whoever is in charge over there at the ATA are a bunch of politically pandering morons. Setting a max speed will do nothing to improve highway safety. We alreadybtrie
set the brake- no need for speed limiters- dont move the freight- let it sit and bring the country to a stand still until they get the industry set… the truckers have the power if they group together… eat peanut butter- take the hit- but this nation runs on trucks a full shut down will have those in charge scrambling— they dont have enough military to drive all trucks— this is where unions come in handy– instead of the teamsters shutting down a company they need to shut down entire regions as a warning then the entire nation if those in charge dont act…
all the trucks already run a tight schedule so slow them down some more make the driver even more stressed then they are with no pulling power in case they need it I think that it will cause more drivers to run to the top of the speed govern and have no way to pull the trailers straight if need be just more government bull cause they no better than the men and women doing the coast to coast every week the Ata and the rest of the law makers need to drive coast to coast for a month at 65 and I bet there attitude changes real fast but they need to do in the winter months put it back to old school way simpler day long gone but as president Obama says the people are not intelligent enough to think on there own that need the folks that all the people’s tax dollars for there own Gain to tell a professional driver how to do it cause that are smarter then everyone else and know all aspects of every job if they had to do 1/4 of stuff and regulations testing medical cards inspections and dot crap they wouldn’t know how
You’ve got to be kidding right?!? So if 18% of traffic fatalities involving commercial vehicles are caused by speed then what is causing the OTHER 72%? No need to focus on the MAJORITY, just commercial vehicles speed because it’s always our fault. Instead of having 65% of fleet truck governed at 65 mph clogging up the highways now you want ALL of us competing for the same 75 feet of asphalt. Real smart. Why don’t you do something about the REAL problem on our highways – Handheld communication devices!!! The states pass stupid laws they can’t even hope to enforce. It’s now almost safer for people to own guns than it is a smart phone! Whoever is in charge over there at the ATA are a bunch of politically pandering morons. Setting a max speed will do nothing to improve highway safety. We already tried that in a 70’s with the mandatory 55 mph speed limit. How well did that work out?
Well I guess it’s time to file that Law Suite against Bill Graves and the American Trucking Association. Lets see what happens when enough trucks won’t move for a week !!! Most places will be S.O.L and they can Thank Graves and the American Trucking Association.
The government and ata need to wake up ….trucks running slower than cars is unsafe look at ohio when they did away with split speed car v trk crashes dropped and raising speed to 70 had no change in crashes. There has been study after study that has proved split speed is unsafe.. I agree we as drivers have the power to change everything by shutting down but will never get enough drivers to agree and do it…its beginning to be more of a hassle than a job..
Heh, how about getting just 10 percent of the drivers to shut down strategically On All major byways blocking other traffic from even getting through. Might shut em up.
I have a limiter as a canadian driver for a few years. Got used to have it. BUT there is nothing related to safety at all. I piss everybody off trying to pass a truck having a load little heavier than mine. It may take up to 15min and causes traffic behind me. If police don’t work in certain states why should it be my headache? If it is all about safety close everybody engines on 65mph including bikes. Sounds stupid? Don’t touch trucks then. Let police do their work properly.
I agree with your overall point, but as far as the passing issue, the driver with the heavier load should have the courtesy to back off for a minute to let you pass.
So speed kills? That’s just the opposite of what States argue when petitioning for higher speed limits? I will be for speed limits on trucks when the rest of the motoring public is subject to the same. Otherwise, the ATA is saying that a professional driver needs limits yet everyone else is free to do whatever. When in fact its the smaller vehicles responsible for most auto accidents. This isn’t about safety. Its about trying to even the paying field for big trucking companies who think they need to get everyone driving 65 mph. Of course I’ll bet you compare big company fatalities that have governed trucks. They are no better then those of us who go the speed limits.
It’s funny that speed limiters have not increased safety or safe driving at these ATA companies. Anybody pull up one of their biggest members CDs stats? In two years they have logged 4000+ unsafe driving violations and a number of them are speeding. Hmmm imagine that. I bet if you look at similarly limited companies(especially those running EOBR’s), the results will be similar.
ATA companies can not force legislation and expect improved safety numbers without cleaning their own houses first. Speed limiter and ELD legislation, are simply anti-competition moves.
Let me debunk the ATA’S stats , (1. Officers usually classify accidents as failure to control speed when in doubt, whether or not the vehicle was speeding or not. As in the case of the Walmart driver. As in many cases! (2. There has been research that proves having speed limiters on a big truck during a steering blowout can be more dangerous then a truck that doesnt, providing the driver has proper education on how to handle this situation. (3. The majority of trucks out there run no more then 70 as it is and not being able to maneuver in traffic would be chaotic and cause far worse implications. FOUR WHEELERS are constantly taking their traffic frustrations out on semi trucks running down the road for either not being able to pass other vehicles that are slower or riding in the middle lane which we deem safer due to merging traffic.
Another reason is split speeds, cause for extreme awareness when merging, passing, turning etc….
Taking away the ability to maneuver around slower traffic will mean more road rage accidents caused by 4wheelers. I have been pulled in front of so many times it’s hard to keep track ……not too mention not allowed to pass etc…..
There are alot of good reasons not too use 65 as a speed limiting factor even though most follow the speed limit anyway.
In the Illinois vehicle code, there is a provision 625ILCS 11-601(a) that requires a vehicle to travel at a speed that is safe for road conditions, traffic, reduce speed approaching a hill, intersection, grade crossing, etc etc etc. These violations are considered speed violations – 30 in a 55 could be a speed violation. It goes on the crash report as a speeding violation – these have nothing to do with excessive MAXIMUM speed, only speed that was “unsafe” at the time of crash. Wonder if ATA does a thorough, incident by incident, examination to filter out the low speed / weather driven factors. Probably not, huh?
Does Congress, DOT, and FMCSA understand that the ATA only represents a handful of the largest trucking companies? Or are they too busy stuffing the Benjamins in their pockets? Only my opinion, but it’s the only explanation as to why they go along with their ridiculous ideas.
All this is about is controlling the O/O’s…. plain and simple.
If you think that the ATA is pro trucker, then you obviously are mistaken. Do your research boys!
My truck is wide open. I drive 65 miles an hour anyway. It’s good on fuel, and I don’t have nearly as many issues in terms of repairs. If the ATA was saying that that will be the primary reason for this that would be one thing. Speed doesn’t necessarily kill, stupid people are the ones that kill. Car accidents and truck accidents happen because people are plain not paying attention.so how can you electronically fix that? Electronic logs does not reduce accidents, stupid truck drivers that don’t know when to go to sleep cause accidents. As far as electronic logs go, what in the hell makes the government or anybodyElse think that a computer operated device cannot be cheated? What in the hell makes these people think that anything electronic cannot be cheated? What makes people think that forcing folks to do anything is going to make a difference?The smarter thing to do is to go back to the drawing board on bringing in new drivers and train them better. I’ve been on the road six years and my experience says that 65 miles an hour is a safe speed. But that’s me using my common sense and my better judgment. Why can’t every other driver whether it’s a four wheeler or a truck driver use the same damn sense? Why can’t police just tighten up?
Speed limiters are not going to help. Especially with fuel efficienty. If our limit to 65, a driver is going to sent the speed at 65 running the truck against it costantly maxed out. In the long run, it will hurt them. Set it at 70 or so and if a truck speeds, make the cop do his job and write tickets. And safety won’t improve til everyone realizes that four wheels cause most of them because they cute trucks off see them moving slow down the road and jump out because they don’t wanna get stuck behind them. Yip yappin on the phone that’s up to there ear and not paying attention. That’s who they should go after. Or make all vehicle operators at hear to all the same rules rather then just one group.
And the key to be efficient is staying at a constant speed. Hit a hill at 65, which I see everyday on the wky here in ky,and drivers go from 65 to 55 or less depending on what their haulin.
65mph limit is total bull. Graves and the rest just want their fleets of trucks on same par with owner operators. If I want to get somewhere quicker I go faster. Yes it uses more fuel but, isn’t that the point?
Once again, the ATA shows us that instead of pushing for liberty & FREEDOM from iron-fisted unelected government bureaucrats, the ‘T’ in ATA stands for ‘tyrannical’.
These ATA fools no more represent the truckers (both large AND small) than I am the man in the moon. Also, the ATA has NO desire for any input from those that work their rears off every single day in the industry.
Why doesn’t the ATA push for repeal of Obamacare due to its VERY negative effects on the small truckers?
Why doesn’t the ATA push for the repeal of IRS Form 2290, which is nothing BUT a $550/yr per truck burden to the owner of the semi?
Why doesn’t the ATA push for a Federal Grand Jury investigation into the IFTA program, which is nothing but a graft program among the states?
I’ll tell you why.
Because the ATA is bought and paid for by the mega-carriers that are seeing their profits dwindle due to smaller carriers entering the market.
That’s why.
That’s a load of crap. They need to crack down on the cars that tail gate big rigs and possibly govern their vehicles so that they save fuel and stop cutting off the truckers. Most people do not understand how dangerous it is to not give the truck the space it needs. The problem is not just the idiots you do find in the trucks. Another thing I feel should be looked at is all these bogus training programs that allow any Tom, Dick, or Harry get behind the wheel of a semi.
It’s all an illusion. People think that driving faster get you somewhere quicker and that’s not the case it’s all about how efficient use your time. If you want to get to a place quicker drive at night when there’s nobody on the road. In the daytime you’re not gonna save any time
Sorry, if I want to get somewhere faster 5mph makes a big difference over 10 hours up to 50miles to be precise. In one week that’s 250miles. You can manage your time AND go faster, it’s not either or. Do the math.
you are talking like 50 miles an hour is just a significant I amount of mileage. I could understand if you were running the same run every single day, but one day it could be 400 miles the next day could be 600 miles. 10 hours running at 65 to 650 miles a day which is about the time people start to get tired anyway. It doesn’t matterhow fast one driver goes as compared to another. It all comes down to equal out. We all have to slow down when we hit mountains, big-city traffic, rush-hour traffic, sharp curves etc. at one point or another everybody has to slow down for a period of time so what difference does it make? I don’t believe they need to govern each vehicle at 65 miles an hour, it should not be taken out of the drivers hands but people need to understand that it’s not how fast you run it’s how long that left door stays closed
I ran night line haul and I can tell you the 1 hour saved between going 65mph round trip was the difference between a) Loads not making delivery the next day and b) being out of hours and not finishing the run. Simply put, the argument that speed doesn’t affect delivery times because you might run into a traffic jam is false. A guy running 5mph moreover a 14 hour day will always be faster all things being equal.
Like the Canadian experience, this will only serve to put smaller carriers at a disadvantage and help driver retention at large carriers, with safety as a convenient excuse.
Though it is calling itself a trucking association, the ATA is actually an enemy of all owner operators and small fleets. Combining speed limiters with electronic log devices will increase fatigue, congestion, and rear end collisions. This is an indisputable fact, when you have speed differentials between heavy trucks and light vehicles it is all about revenue for the states, the insurance companies (ever think about why they pushing for an increase in the minimum coverage at the same time? ), and the mega carriers who hire foreign nationals instead of US citizens.
If you want to improve overall safety get the rates up. Having a rate per mile that allows carriers to be more profitable will increase the amount of money available for driver wages, training, and maintenance. Low rates cause accidents due to drivers and owners needing to run harder to be profitable, to defer maintenance, and to attempt to meet unrealistic schedules to satisfy customers. The very idea that ATA is representative of the needs of over 80% of drivers and carriers is ludicrous, and Bill Graves is simply a tool of his masters, the insurance companies and the mega carriers.
I’ve been in this industry more years than I care to remember. The issues that the ATA are quoting are concerns of the larger fleets which are only concerned with their bottom line. Safety only matters when there’s a dollar sign attached. The powers that be wish to protect the public from big trucks, but they have no desire to protect you and me from the public. Where else could you run a small business and have to put up with the crap that drivers put up with. Any other small business would get all the protection they need. Only in the trucking industry can you be treated like a second class citizen and pay first class taxes. The ATA actually stands for Against Trucking Altogether, which it’s been that way all along. It would be better if they would find someone that knows what there doing and leave everyone alone. If you really want your voice to be heard in DC join OOIDA. They do more for drivers and O/O than any organization out there.
And the funny thing is that drivers actually a paying ATA if they only would read up on them before paying a membership
Here we go again… Regulating the most experienced, safest drivers on the road.
I have a better idea, why don’t they require all cellphones to shut off over 5mph (walking speed) or at least disable the text function?
Yes ata is ridiculous, then again there are more idiots driving truck than ever. They need babysitters and limiters. The worst part of trucking isTruckers… Its a joke anymore.. I cant even turn on my cb anymore without hearing some idiot wannabe trucker acting like a 2 year old……. So i guess its just gonna get worse…….. Truckers ruin trucking..
The ATA has never supported independent owner op’s. And if you believe that they do then you are sadly mistaken. I agree with the previous comments. The ATA is against any and all competition from independents and small trucking companies. I would recommend that ANY AND ALL truckers wether it be independents and/or company driver’s to cancel any subscriptions that support the ATA. This Bill Graves guy is a nut. He does not speak for the majority of hard working truckers out here doing it every day. He needs to be stopped. All independents and company driver’s need to support organizations that actually fight for the rights of real truckers and not the big corporate types. That’s my 2¢.
I drove for 41 years before moving to the inside (some call the dark side).
What I keep seeing is economic pressure driving the industry in unsafe ways. Too much capacity has driven down prices. To keep labor costs low, companies often hire inexperienced drivers. If the government didn’t mandate certain safety requirements, there are plenty of companies (and independents) that would blow by the most minimal standards in the name of profits. (read that cheaper operating costs).
I don’t find a problem with a 65mph limit, so long as an accompanying law that says ‘no more than 5mph difference between truck and auto speeds. We hated the 55mph speed limit, but we lived. I understand the speed limit being such a bore in west Texas or New Mexico or east Montana, but for the most part it won’t make that much difference.
Trucks have no business doing 70 mph inside a major city (as in Dallas). Traffic is too tight, keeping safe following distance is nearly impossible and the chance of an accident too high.
But if trucks are mandated to this speed limit, how will the Bull Wagons function? 🙂
Yup, no surprises here. If the ATA, FMCSA, DOT, etc are really serious about safety, I offer the following: every inhabitant of the USA must be made to wear a hard hat, safety glasses, steel toe boots, ear plugs, and glow-in-the-dark vest at all times. They must also be chained to a bed at all times, the bed being equipped with safety straps and side rails so nobody can fall out. There can be no phone, no tv, no internet, no radio, no windows. This will absolutely eliminate the possibility of distractions. After all, if it saves even ONE life, wouldn’t it be worth it? Bill Graves was a 3rd-rate governer at best (KS). Why does he feel the need to stick his stupid nose into everyone else’s business? As far as unions go, they are on the same side of the fence as the big carriers. Who do you think started all this go slow BS? Anybody remember CF, IML, NW, Milne, Garrett? All union, all slow, all gone. Time to put on your big girl panties and shut down, not just for a day or three. Make it stick this time, don’t just give up on empty promises.
This was tried before and it did not work, you know what they say about learning history so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes.
Someday it will just be enough. Let the companies continue to shit us down. Until the true owner operator is allowed to be the professional that we are we have no powers. They are taking my right to make a living in my truck away. It is my name on the title no the USA. If they want to control everything then buy my truck from me
My experienced hunch is everyone including cars going 65 is NOT safer than cars going 70-75 and trucks going 65. When cars travel the same speed as trucks you get a clustering effect with cars and trucks constantly being close to each other.
Try hauling oversize loads and being forced to drive 55 in a lot of states while cars and other trucks are doing 70+ mph. And then all of a sudden there’s a broke down vehicle on the shoulder and you can’t merge over because of the speed difference. Ridiculous rules.
You truckers who left the industry or retired because of so call regulation are soft and we don’t really need you anyway gl whining about your other career deal with it and move on
Obviously the ATA is comprised of radical Marxist totalitarians.
WELL TO TEACH THEM A LESSON MY BROTHER TRUCKERS SHOULD DRIVE 45 MPH WHEN IN METROPOLITAN AREAS LOL (WHEN THEY CAN). WE STILL CAN GET OUR MESSAGE ACROSS LOUD AND CLEAR.
LETS SEE HOW LONG THEY WANT TO HAVE TRAFFIC SNARLED. mAYBE THAT WILL GET THEIR ATTENTION!
the article says you can save fuel going at the lower speed limit.Well they said the same thing back inthe 70’s when the limit was 55. One of the reasons they raised it to 65 was because the showed that an engine at 55 mph works harder than an engine at 65 , thus using more fuel. Speed doesn’t kill.You can get just as dead at %mph as you can at 55. Sure the vehicle you are in will protect you but,this is the speed factor , if you get hit doing 5mph there will be less damage then if you were hit at 40 mph . I don’t know what I’m going to do all of my companys’ trucks are computerized and can’t go over 65 anyway.
Irronically you burn more fuel at slower speeds across hilly terrain. Ideally all rigs should top out at 80 mph or have to be able to 5 mph of the posted speed limit.. As if it’s 75mph the rig should be able to drive at least 70 mph. Myself it should be left up to operators on how fast they want to drive.. Accidents would increase by 400% if big rigs were govern at 65 mph. Especially if cars, pickups are going 90 mph in a 65 mph zone..
Speed has no value to efficiencies. 75 mph will save you a mere 2 hours on 24 hours of driving and you’ll likely burn another 75 gallons of diesel. It’s the difference of 8 mpg or 5 mpg. Speed limiters also allow the driver to pay less attention to their speed because they would always be in the posted range. Hence, the result is that more time is spent looking at the road.
What the trucking industry should be concern about is the push for higher speed limits for automobiles in many states. The premise from the engineers is that reducing variances in travel speeds by allowing vehicles to travel at majority true travel speeds, which is usually about 10-15 miles over the limit, reduces the interactions with other motorists.
It is flawed logic because it only reduces variances in the left lane of a 2 lane highway. The interactions with the slower right lane traffic remains.
Lawmakers have artificially increased variances and interactions with transport trucks and the general public. That would be “YOU” now being more condemned to the right lane and with less ability to break rank to pass- automobiles being what they are which is less than gracious around trucks.
Most trucks have speed governors. I have had trucks with speed governors at 62 mph and others at 75 mph. California only allows you to go 55 in a Commercial Truck. Maybe they should tighten laws on adding speed governors to Commercial rigs if they are having issues.
Either make 65 for all vehicles or don’t limit any vehicle. Cars continually fly up behind cmv’s then dart out to pass no matter what the speed limit is.
Limiting cmv’s to 65 will only exacerbate the problem.
I have no problem with this since I don’t drive that fast anyway, however it’s extremly wrong and in my opinion not safe to limit truckers to 65 while others (busses) small cars are going 5-10 over the posted speed limit.
Another reason why I disagree with this law is ATA has become lobbies for large corporate fleets!
What’s next?
Drivers always talk about shutdowns but these days it just does not work, plenty of drivers out there who wont because they cant afford to and plenty of drivers willing to go drive for low rates just to get a check. If they make all 4 wheelers goverened then a lot more problems would be fixed compared to limiting just the trucks. We know how speed limit signs work for those cars…if it says 55 they go 75. Also drivers complaining reducing speed will make schedules tighter…a lot of drivers are just bad at planning or waste too much time at the pumps taking breaks. Over 1000 deliveries and I have yet to have even 1 late, I travel around 63mph and average 7.5mpg.
Whoever is demanding this policy at the ATA hasn’t got a clue what transpires outside their office door. I’d be willing to bet fewer than 10% of the “officers” ever held a CDL. Fact is, all commercial vehicles should be limited to a speed 5 mph above the highest speed limit in the Nation; to the best of my knowledge, that would be 75 mph, so limit the speed to 80 mph. After a period of time when the public realizes it won’t be so easy to screw with trucks, the accident rate will most definately decrease.
I wish I could like this suggestion.
You just did, thank you!
ATA is a synonym for cow flop.
How about not putting chicken coops at the bottom of hills!!! That will save some fuel. Stupid California!!!!
I say turn all the trucks up to 75 and let the professional drivers do their jobs, if their speeding, give them a ticket, wanna save fuel, drive slower, but dont mandate a governed speed.
ATA is horrible and hurts truck drivers and trucking companies.
Actually the ata is trying to run smaller companies out of business by giving the larger company’s a federal mandated advantage. Due to the size of the larger companies terminals that they could slip seat and keep freight moving at those speeds. It would get rid of smaller companies making them not competitive. At this point smaller companies can move freight safer and faster than large ltl carriers. That would create a de facto monopoly and set prices to be higher . I worked for one of those carrier’s for 9 years and that’s what they are moving too. Because they can’t compete in reality. At that point it could create a too big to fail issue and keep the tax payers to bail out bad companies. Example yrc was one and now the big E is in the process of being the next one . Difference is the big E is a private held company. So the family would be directly in our pockets.
If Graves thinks speed governing is so safe, he should put it in his own car as well as an e-log. He’ll be so much safer.
Outright speed isn’t unsafe – it’s the difference in speed between vehicles. So this would make roads just that much more dangerous.
Many companies already had their trucks turned back to 62 mph which makes the big trucks a safety hazard to begin with. The companies complain about fuel mileage… When these engines come from the manufacture they are built to run at a certain speed for maximum fuel efficiency. Turning them back down negates the engines ability to get maximum fuel mileage. The ATA wants all trucks running at 65. In some states the limit is 75mph and in west Texas it is 80 plus mph. This makes the big trucks a safety hazard simply because some rigs try to pass slower trucks. When a truck running 65 tries to pass a truck running 62 this increases the safety hazard especially for the 4 wheeler running 75 to 80 mph. The simple solution is to allow the trucks to run at the speed set by the manufacture. This increases fuel mileage and decreases the probability of a 4 wheeler/big truck collision. Quite frankly it sounds like the ATA is being lobbied by the insurance companies. The trucking companies, the ATA, and the insurance companies all have their own agendas in mind except the safety of the motoring public.
The max speed set on my truck from factory was 106 mph top max speed .It is not a company truck. Not safe but geared to do it. So recheck your statement. I now have it set for 78 mph max top speed. Stupid drives a truck at the 3 figures limits..
How about requirements for Ca., Oregon, Wash. And similar sratesmph to increase to 65
Safety. Right. If the goal is to save lives, how about educating the motoring public on what actually causes (Collisions)
Collision: two objects trying to occupy the same space at the same time.
Oh yea, we’re driving 65, while ALL them dumbasses who text an drive THIER cars at 75 run in the back of us going so slow! It might just be one of your family
Members too Bill Graves!!!
Before any proposed regulation is passed an exhaustive analysis using real data needs to be conducted by an unbiased third party. The proposed regulation and the impact it will have needs to be determined prior to enacting it. Saying things like, “I feel” this will make roads safer, is political, not scientific, and reveals the agenda.
Some real science data is there. It has been proven time and time again that 85 to 87 % of car truck accidents are caused by the car driver. Govt and insurance , and independent studies all are within a couple of % points.They are being ignored.
All trucks should be able to do the legal posted speed limit. Period. All smaller trucking companies and independent drivers should form up to fight ATA. Period. ATA stay out of my truck and out of my business. Period.
everybody talks about fuel efficiency and needing to make deliveries faster. It’s not how fast you go, it’s how well you plan and how long the left door stays closed. I see a lot of drivers fooling around at the truck stop. Then when it gets to crunch time they drive fast. I don’t know about you guys but I get plenty of time to make my deliveries, even at 65 mph. A Freightliner mechanic told me that in order to get the best fuel efficiency, the sweet spot for a truck is 63 mph. There is truth to that. I know an owner operator that runs 62 mph. He barely uses up all his fuel surcharge. I work for a small outfit. Paying attention to fuel costs is one of the best ways for us to see profit, especially seeing how large carriers will haul for pennies on the dollar
This is not going to help much at all if any. Drivers either are safe or they’re not. That was proven when the Walmart driver hit those folks in new jersey. He had elogs and was still unsafe.
The ATA is comprised of Corporate executives of trucking companies. If they chose to limit their company trucks, that’s their business. When it comes to saving on repairs and fuel efficiency; that’s their business. When it comes to telling me how to run MY business…..That’s not their business, that’s my choice.
Like. Agree.
What is this moron thinking? It has been proven that split speed limits are unsafe time and time again. Now this jerk want a split speed limit in all the states now. This guy needs a lesson in reality. Maybe he cant read English or do simple math. Then again they state the obvious that 18 % of the accidents are the trucks fault. What does this tell you? We have fewer accidents we are at fault for than the drivers of cars and we still get blamed.
I am so tired of the BS . How about just setting the max speed at 65 for all vehicles. ? We lived through the 55 mph era. Just a passing thought.
We can “shoot the breeze” all we want in these forums and whatnot; we will acomplish nothing. We either band together to set things right or continue taking what they dish out.
I like the idea of mandatory limiters on either all vehicles or none at all. However, I think the obvious solution for frustrated truckers is to just lease / buy your own truck with no limiter on it. I have been leasing for 8 months with no speed limiter, no idle timer and a Ton more perks like working less and bringing home more cash every week. Problem solved.
Problem not solved. If they implement this you will have a limiter on your truck too. Doesn’t matter if you own it. They want to implement speed limiters and elogs in ALL trucks. It’s not fair…boo hoo hoo. They can run faster. That’s basically what this is.
I was once governed at 62 back in 2007 and it was hell passing some idiot who was driving 60, I spent 15 miles trying to pass him I couldn’t slow down 4 Wheelers blocked my rest, I laid on the air horn and the other trucker flipped me off and maintained speed. There were little hills that would slow me down finally after 15 miles I got around him, only to be passed by another posses off trucker who slammed his brakes I swerved missed him but the driver to my left swerved towards him smashed his truck into him…. My advice is leave the speed limiters out of the equation specially when traveling Wyoming Texas new Mexico hell all those wide open states. Stick up for truckers government, we already sacrifice our families for the work quit trying to sacrifice our lives and force us to sleep at these slow speeds.
Time being, the great state of Texas is raising speed limits to ridiculously high speeds in locations that should actually be 10 mph slower than posted. I’m tired of all this talk on how speed is a factor. And they raise speed limits? My truck can only go 65, I have 4 wheelers racing around me doing 80-90 ,and some trucks. I feel like I’m impeding traffic! This is safe? Lower the speed limits and let’s see more traffic tickets being handed out. I apologize to all those that would rather go flying down the highway, but I’m tired of you drivers too. We all have the same job to do, we all have the same responsibilities. We are not all governed the same. Because your truck goes faster does not mean you own or have more rights on the road. If I’m blocking your passing lane when I’m trying to pass a 4 Wheeler blocking my lane, understand that I’m just as frustrated and in a hurry as you are. I don’t need you hollering at me to get out of your way. Until this mess with speed limits for trucks is resolved just remember it is NOT our fault our truck is slower than yours! But we are all in the same boat – hurry up and wait.
This was tried in the 1980s. Due to the split speed limits, there were tons of rear end collisions of cars and trucks under the 10,000 lb weight limit. Virginia State police petition against it and it took them 4 years with statistics to finally do away with the split speed limits. If ATA would go back in history they could see that this is a bad idea. Especially with the speed limit of cars now at 70 and 75 mph. And in one stat of 85 mph. Why not put their effort at good work on something such as stopping jit freight, pay, and maybe even penalizing driver when they take breaks. After all I thought the idea was safety?
Special interest groups pushing there own agenda for laws that benefit their pocket is the problem in this country. This is becoming the norm anymore. Limit speed because it’s safer? Let’s be honest Mr Graves. You want speed limiters because your trucks on elogs at 65 mph cannot do what an independent OO can do. And you don’t like it so you hide under this cloak of “Safety” so your companies can get ALL the freight. It’s greed and power hunger not your concern for safety that is behind this.
I seriously think it’s My time to file for State Disability for Having to much Job Related Stress and they say Air Traffic controllers have to much stress Hau ! ok maybe their do because of all the passengers aboard. But Have you ever seen a Job with so many LAWS, Rules, Regulations and so much Mitigation When all we want to do is get from one destination to another without all the BS My GOD this is just getting to be way too much it’s causing me nightmares 38 years never an accident and only 1 speeding ticket do to a speed trap manned by 2 deputies in the middle of nowhere in NM speed limit was 60 I was doing 62 then a 55 sign pops up from behind the hill I did slow down but the radar gun already put me at 62 they didn’t even need to drive after me cause I stopped next to them. Anyway to hell with this business I am done. and I don’t mean any derogatory remarks towards fellow truckers just the Jackasses that have ruined this business.
If they want to regulate us well then WHY IN HELL DO 4 WHEELERS HAVE OPEN LIMITERS. They have many many more wrecks over and much higher fatalities lets see them get put on limiters as well now we see who is up in arms, and lets not forget about the few large fleets “we know them well” who are limited and see many of their trucks not slow down in many areas just to make up time lost. Lets limit 4 wheelers first and trucks will comply on there own just as fast. For them rebels well stop park pull their cdl for life that may make a few more think as well
Who made Bill Graves “Finance Manager” or “Safety Manager” for every trucking company in the country? Truck speed isn’t the problem. Maybe he should focus on driver training or maintenance requirements. There are bigger problems on the road than truck speeds.