New regulation is coming down the pipeline exactly as fast as was predicted – which shouldn’t be a surprise given what it concerns. The speed limiter rules that the DOT warned might be coming this year are indeed slated to be published before the end of the year.
The DOT has just sent the proposed rule on to the office of the Secretary of Transportation last week and it is expected to make its way to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget for approval in early September. It is expected that the rule will be published on December 12th to begin its 90-day public comment period.
The ATA and Roadsafe America jointly asked for the DOT to require speed limiters in trucks with a GVWR of more than 26,000lbs. Since the rule has not yet been made public, it is not yet known exactly what provisions it will contain.
According to the DOT report, implementing the rule should be fairly inexpensive since “all heavy trucks already have these devices installed, although some vehicles do not have the limit set.”
Next Story: Old CARB Rule Rises From The Dead
Image Source: autosounds
ez says
the difference is you are in a regulated industry and with any other industry they pass rules and laws to protect employees, the public, and the environment.
i do not agree with them all but the only way to change them is to speak up , get a coalition together and apply pressure.
i am sure the 2 groups they claim to support and help truckers will support this law.
LB says
Texas has around 1400 freeway Deaths this year as posted on freeway Alert signs. When we truck through Texas we see Truckers talking on Cell phones, Speeding, amongst other things. You all know this is Illegal in all states so WTF. It is no wonder there are bill boards with Lawyer Ads to su Truckers , & it’s no wonder these kinds of Laws are being thrown at us. If we want this kind of crap to stop we need to all follow the dam RULES!!!!
Tired of double standards says
Yes this is true. If they keep this up there will be no way to do your job safely. The speed limiter will cause more fatigue, cause the driver to take longer to get freight to the destination. There is not enough places to park now. The Trucker Strike is not to far off. I see another one coming just to try and stop all the useless laws that the F.M.C.S.A. are trying to impose.
Jeff says
I wish I could share in your optimism, but I can’t. I’ve been hearing about “trucker strike this”, “trucker strike that”, and it never goes anywhere. Old hands are being forced out, masses of kids with stars in their eyes and a mentality of, “well, I can sit on my ass and make a paycheck, so I should put up with whatever” are coming in. Where is this cohesion (which has been completely absent from the industry) going to magically appear from in order to pull off a strike? It’s not gonna happen. I think our best hope at this point is that the ATA ends up reeling in much, much more than they anticipated, and it bites them in the ass hard, gets things to a point where you start seeing more of the megas fold (thus reducing ATA’s influence, as well), then we can hope for a Phoenix to rise from the ashes. Taking the industry in its current form and trying to salvage it…. pissing in the wind, IMO.
John says
Hey I am all for it as long as you make all vehicles adhere to that same speed governing rule.
Otherwise, its wrong to single out a group of vehicles that is safer then all others per miles traveled. When states are increasing speed limits and yet the DOT wants to regulate only speed on trucks. Its not only compromises safety, but your concern for safety for all becomes debatable.
I guarantee you if the debate turns to governing cars and light trucks, the debate would be over quickly.
Truckin Charlie says
It really doesn’t matter if this is “right” or “wrong” or “better” or “worse.” The problem is – we as drivers have no voice or power in these decision-making processes. The trucking corporations – the insurance corporations and the big government “corporation” – these have the power to make any changes that will improve THEIR bottom lines. It has NOTHING to do with driver safety and everything to do with improving revenue for ALL those involved with the above. Wanna improve highway safety with the CMV – find a different way to ship your crap from point A to point B. You CAN NOT control irresponsible behavior. If a driver is operating a CMV in an unsafe manner it’s because they either don’t know or don’t care. Not caring is on “us” – Not knowing is on the Regulators! It’s not rocket science – it just looks like it because the ‘government’ is involved with it!
G. Eldon Davis says
You are right, John; the speed differential between trucks and other vehicles is a major cause of accidents. Trucks have the speed limiter technology. Cars and “light” trucks probably have it or should have it.
Exempting under 26K GVWR vehicles is nonsense as bobtail trucks are a major cause of fatal collisions here on the West Coast.
No problem if everyone has to comply…just “level the playing field” and enforce if for everyone then the financial losses will be shared by consumers who will howl big time.
ez says
or if businesses bribe enough people in congress they will not pass this law. we all know company’s want you to get from point a to point b as fast as you can with out breaking any laws, WINK WINK.
John says
Yes, safety be damned, Illinois has already seen over 500 deaths in accidents just this year. Probably exceed last years totals. Speed is a direct factor in profits, and while many companies adhere already to govern speed on trucks. A whole lot of independents do not.
I don’t see this going anywhere fast as push back will be great and the argument is with states who set speed limits and it would be illegal for the Feds to set a govern speed lower then the highest speed in a state. A national speed limit like the 55 MPH set in the 70’s for the oil embargo would not be widely accepted today. If safety was truly the concern we would be looking at a blanket speed limit for all and not trying to just govern trucks.
Jeff says
Still pretending that it’s about safety? That’s a load if I’ve ever heard one. The ATA doesn’t represent the collective of the trucking industry, it does not represent the driver – it represents a handful of the largest carriers, with records that should make them a laughing stock when they tell the rest of us what we need to be safe.
It’s about bringing everyone else down to their level. Dumb the rest of us down to 62, push their e-logs on us, etc. That’s all it was ever about. They don’t care if the whole country is tied up coast-to-coast in JB drag races… so long as no carrier can have any edge over them in anything (aside from quality of driver, which the companies represented by the ATA certainly don’t seem to pay much mind to), then they’re content.
Robin says
it’s also about letting the insurance companies run the company
G. Eldon Davis says
Jeff and Robin both have good points…thank you for your input…
Bryan Skidmore says
Definitely if trucks have to have speed and horse power limiters (which will eventually collapse the entire world economy) so should every vehicle on the road. 99% of crashes are caused by the average driver speeding, not the truckers.
I say all vehicles should be treated equally. Regardless of shape or size. The speed limiters on trucks is racism of the truckers. And we should band together and do an at halt strike and stop dead in the road until we get treated with respect.
As a truck driver who has to deal with a limiter, I feel my life is in danger from the cars, those wild and reckless car drivers constantly cutting us off nearly causing crashes. If you want to make the roads a safer place than get the reckless car drivers off the road. That will eliminate 70% of crashes and 40% of all drivers and 14% of air pollution at the same time.
Scott says
The first thing we need to do is make it legal to start a union. Once we do that we can more easily fight back for truckers rights.
Cliff Downing says
Why does anyone need to start a union? People can shut down now if they want to. They can also walk off the job if where they are working will not play fair. No one is dragged kicking and screaming into driving a truck. No one is told that their family will be threatened if they do not take the load. It is purely voluntary. Just shut down or walk off the job and make a case why others should join you. If you can make a strong enough case, others will.
JD says
CDL truck driving has the highest turnover rate. Over 80% of new drivers quit within a year. I agree. I could not bear the low standard of living on the road and quit after 5 years. I tried it but the only way to go if you are going to make a decent living is to own or lease your Semi but that is a huge financial commitment. Truck driving ages you quickly. Truckers generally lose thier good health and years off their life. I quit because their are hundreds of hours spent on my job that were’nt paid for because I was not driving but the cargo was being loaded, unloaded, the truck was fueled, serviced, cleaned or at a DOT waiting for an inspection. It’s a 24 hr job and I am glad I found a great job elsewhere.
'abdul 'aziz says
Yeah I’m one of those ppl trying to go back to being an independent who can’t stand this slow truck mess. Every time I’ve seen close calls is when a slow moving truck tried to pass another slow moving truck. The four wheelers around them get all impatient from being stuck for miles…so yeah, this wonderful idea is so genius.
Saddle Blanket says
The down side is really our pay. We get paid by the mile for the most part not by the hour. Reducing it to say 55mph with the HOS, plan on your pay to be reduced to by as much.
For example, you make 34cpm in a truck that is governed at 65 mph logically you make $14.73/hr whereas with the decrease to 55mph you are now making $12.47/hr. (Based on 8hrs driving ave at limits with a total of 12 hour of all on duty time.) With these examples and make it like those who work hours at a 9 to 5 job that is a loss of about $4,700 per year. I do not know about you but that is a lot of money to most people.
I personally feel if they do require an limiter on the trucks it should be whatever the highest speed limit is for the states for which the truck runs in and for those who 48 that is 80mph.
Rich says
Hate to tell you but TX has some roads that are 85 .
Milkshake says
SH-130 is a toll road that no one uses. It is financial disaster that the legislature approved over the common sense of the people. Austin’s thinking was ‘if we build it, they will come.’ Well, they didn’t.
Kelvin says
If you govern every 18 wheeler to the same speed limit,that will be a very dangerous cluster,it’s not about safety money is the motive, I’ve been driving 30 years. Never seen so many laws for trucks past in a short period of time, govern them down 65 mph you will more wrecks than you ever seen.
Robert says
Your math is quite a bit off SB, for example if your driving at 65 mph and you multiply it times .35 you get $22.1 per hour, and times double nickel gets you $19.25. Which even that isn’t too awful to live on.. of course with all the stuff that slows us down, with construction, rush hour, weather, etc you would be in the right range of what is really our wages, and trucks tend to average around 50 mph overall, so 50 x .35 is $17.50 still not terrible.. just saying you could do worse. 🙂
Matt says
Robert, he added the on-duty not driving time, that we get no pay at all for into his times to reach the lower hourly.
Kamkor says
So what you are saying is you are willing to do the same work now, for less money….
K…enjoy that.
Horst Puff says
if this (100 kmh or 60 mph) will happen, i will hang up the key! That´s it! I hope more drivers will follow …
Jeff says
I’m with you. I only drive on the side now, but if this goes through, I refuse to haul anything for anyone. They want to dumb the industry down to this, let them reap what they sow.
Name says
I’ll call it quits. Government mandated EOBRs are pushing it, but government mandated limiting is the final straw. I have a spotless CSA record without an EOBR or limiter, just as many others do. Funny how I get passed by every limited truck on the road in the 55 zones.
I’m not sure when the govt is going to figure out that it’s the driver rather than a lack of control devices. A guy who rolls his truck at 75 mph is just as capable of rolling it on a 45mph ramp. A guy who runs into stopped traffic at 65mph will also do it at 55mph. A guy who drives fatigued on paper logs will also drive fatigued with an EOBR.
If you’re going to mandate a control device, use it as a deterrent. Force it on the offenders, not the ones who care about what they’re doing on the road.
jon province says
I went to work for a.company with their limiters set at 66. I started passing a swift truck just east of biggs oregon. I finished about the dalles. Its impossible to set all limiters the same.lol,enjoy the view kids,I’m gunna be over here a while!
Creedmore Sharps says
If you want to see on a local scale what things will look like nationally, drive I88 in Illinois between Aurora and DeKalb. The truck SL is 55, with auto speed limit 70. That 15 mph differential leads to some snazzy driving on part of 4wheelers who feel their “rights are being violated”.
As CMV drivers, we have only ourselves to blame for this initiative. How many of us have been running the s/l, only to see a 4wheeler pass us on the left at their s/l, followed by the 18wheeler 5 feet behind them? The aggressive driving by both vehicle types is wrong. It’s just that when we FUBAR, it tends to be epic level due to the potential energy stored in a 75,000# vehicle traveling at 70 mph. Would I to be limited to 60 mph? Nope. But I fear it’s gonna happen…
Jacob Tijsma says
I agree with John there if you want to slow the trucks down than we need to put the same device’s on cars a govern the cars down to 62-68 mph also what’s fair is fair
Cliff Downing says
Device is already on cars and pickups. The ECM speed limiter can be set just like it can in big trucks. I changed the factory speed limiter in my 2013 Chevy Silverado in less time than it takes to hook up and do my semi.
Clyde Jennings says
This ain’t good! Check any non-profit survey and you will see that the slower vehicle in traffic contributes more to accidents than the vehicles moving at highway speeds. Do your research. And by the way, I have been driving one of these slow trucks for 21 years so I know what I’m talking about!
Rawhide
Struggling says
Yup. I did a thesis on this in college in a former life before my former life. The biggest factor, back then as I assume it is now, in determining a crash on the highways is the VARIANCE in speed between vehicles, not the speed of the vehicles. Hell, at 55mph, the old Irma Schmedly going 40mph can still get a heart racing when she pumps the brakes.
I see it in Michigan also: 70 mph cars, 60 mph trucks, and I get plenty of middle fingers shot my way from motorists when I am doing my 63 mph.
Will says
You cant limit it everywhere. Here in West Texas the speeds are high 80mph is some spots. You limit a truck at 60-65 mph now that truck is a danger to others and themselves. No way Texas will back this speed down cause there is nothing but miles around. This limiter is a bad idea the accidents out here are caused by tired drivers, four wheelers blowing wood screws of 18 wheelers and other reasons. This Rule is a very bad idea.
Eric Westman says
I have seen cars in Cali run into trucks a few times. Split speed is a very dangerous to all on highway. Space is the safest thing out there it makes me sick to see big truck 10-30 foot off the rear end of a 4weeler or big truck. I have never carried frieght worth killing for. I have nothing to prove and try to keep safe space at all times if possible. Also leave an out for other vehicals. The only way I will be perfect in this big truck is when I am perfectly dead in it. Later
jerri says
Its like my grandma use to tell me when I got mad at the world because of a stupid rule. Baby it only take 1 apple to spoil the barrel. In other words every since that Wal-Mart truck hit somebody famous the trucking industry is the target. And everybody wants a shot to make their mark. Give it time tomorrow will be another cause that the suits in Washington deemed worthy of sticking their nose in. But I fear by the time their done the trucking industry will be so f@$!#d up with no possible way of bouncing back. I work for a company that told us we would not be hired if we were in a union. It would be sweet if we could organize enough to fight some of the bulls@$ t that we have to put up with. Ooida claim they fight for drivers but at end of day they are suits that take your funds and don’t help nobody but their bank accounts. I think if they were really out to help us they would organize something for the truck drivers to make our voice known. I would be definitely be game. I can get another job. As for as governing every truck my truck go 67 and trucks be flying by me and yes I be jealous. I say I need to go work for that company. When I pass a truck I take my time unless I see another truck behind me. If I have a mile of cars behind me screw them im not gone rush for them. Its mostly their fault we have accidents anyway. I have had 3 accidents and each time it was a 4wheeler that hit me. I have had 1 hit me when I was sitting still and they preceded to curse me out caz I was in the way. I was at red light. The suits gone find another cause real soon. Like why is the government sending troops back to Iraq my cousin leave in oct going over. Now that’s bull@$!#.
tycteach says
How will this affect Hot Shot rigs that run 1 ton or 3/4 ton vehicles? I’m not aware of limiters on them but I suppose they can be there without me knowing it. This looks to me like another one of those “one size fits all” things that someone thinks will fix everything. I read Cinderella…….the shoe doesn’t fit everyone but everyone will be under the same rules. Just my $.02
Cliff Downing says
Every vehicle for nearly the last 10 years has had speed limiter capability. I changed the factory set speed limiter on my 2013 Silverado pickup.
riverwolf says
Maybe that senator should have read out loud Cinderella, Instead of Green eggs and Ham. LOL
Kevin says
I am an O/O have never run over 60 mp, this won’t effect me .
eric says
all we gotta do is get side by side and drag race til someone can finally pass the other clog up the highways thats how we deal with it
L Olson says
Don’t think it’s just the democrates that agree to this, the republican. Senator from South Dakota who claims to be for less regulation, is all for EOBRs and speed limiters. We elected them folks, all on their false promises and sleazy back handed tactics
Joey says
I agree with john. Either set the limit for all vehicles or don’t do it at all. I am a company driver governed at 65 mph. I am tired of moving over for cars and when I go back to move right ll cars that were in the left lane are now passing me on the right. It annoying. Also all vehicles governed at the same speed would cut back on traffic congestion in major metros.
gearjamn says
Isn’t singling out an entity , group and or individual classified as discrimination? I mean if you were to tell a minority based on their race or creed they had to drive a different speed than everyone else wouldn’t this be taken to court? We pay taxes and more than the average driver. But we can not drive in this lane or that, now we can only drive this speed , we can drive only this many hours , we don’t always get paid for detention so we are on the road away from home for free a lot of the time , while other jobs are not limited by the hours you can work and they have rules governing their pay, called the Fair Labor Law. So isn’t it time to stand up for our rights as truckers and individuals against discrimination to our type of work and way of life, where and what we can do, being singled out as a group or individual with bias to our job? Isn’t it time to say NO MORE !! Maybe it is time for a class action lawsuit against the DOT and Federal government, sounds good to me to stop these ridicules laws invading our privacy and right to work .
Overdrive says
I Completely agree I have been saying for years that this is all a form of discrimination I would be one of the first ones to jump on a class action lawsuit to stop this and eddies to go even further the fact that as far as I know there is no laws against any other type of employment that says you’re only allowed to work so many hours a day a week a month a year I have a family member that pulls double shifts at his job that’s 16 1/2 hours a day and he drives two hours to work and two hours home it’s 20 1/2 hours a day he does this several times a week as for the speed limit I totally agree there’s no reason I should have to drive in a slower speed so that cars can get wherever they need to go and yet I can’t do my job effectively another thing about the left lane BS most places we travel we are going through or not getting on and off ramps but left lane should be for through traffic in other words we should be able to get in the far left lane so that we can travel through we don’t have to worry about all of this stop and go traffic on the right-hand lanes basically I guess what I’m saying as any federal regulation or DOT regulation or state regulation or county regulations that imposes a difference between cars and trucks as you stated is discrimination and it should all be filed under a class-action lawsuit of discrimination
Jeff says
So, when they say all vehicles over 26k, does that include the bus chassis motorhome driven by the 70 year-old geriatric with the heart condition, and who’d only ever driven a Cadillac before buying that thing?
Of course not. That might actually make sense.
This was never about safety. It was always about dumbing the rest of us down to the level of the companies who are represented by the ATA (J.B. Hunt, Crete, et. al). This is corporate sedition, with the US government being used as the medium to facilitate it. For those of you whose vocabulary isn’t keeping up here, it means they’re having Uncle Sam do their dirty work for them.
Considering the companies the ATA represents and the safety records held by those companies, it’s nothing short of ludicrous that they be the ones who dictate to those of us who have actually been able to earn our stripes in this line of work what we need to do in order to be safe.
And those drivers who are supporting this – you’re just as a big a part of the problem. Maybe you’re really deluded enough to believe the line of crap fed to you by the ATA, or maybe you’re just spiteful because I can do 75 in a 75 MPH state… I don’t know.
Lee E says
Thank you for breaking that down Barney style, Jeff.
Limited speed is not the problem here. I drive a 62mph truck no vehicle on the highway is traveling at the same speed at all times, e.g. terrain, weather, and merging traffic. The real issue is how drivers are paid. For example, if we were paid by the hour in stead of by the mile, would the speed of your truck be an issue? I think not.
So if you want to fight for something truly important, fight for your method of compensation. Safety will come naturally as a result. In the meantime come December 12th everone drive 60mph and see how long it takes for the suites to hear the hue and cry of the public. Lost Navigator , out.
rob says
there are lots of down sides its just more government regs to give them more power next it will be all trucks limited to X speed then we make less or have less home time making up for it. carriers would then need more drivers cause drivers lose too many hours running slower and we lose a load and money. plus a vehicle traveling slower than the traffic around them is 10x as likely to be in a wreck as someone speeding so these rules are dumb and dont actually make trucks safer
Sky t-s says
Long over due. No commercial vehicle should be doing 85 mph in the slow lane in Nevada!! This and the sleep at night rules I support…..
TexasEskimo says
Look at the Carriers in the Road Safe group.They all have trucks governed at 64 of less…And have some of the WORST Safety records out here.Proof in the pudding
Kamkor says
Its going to make highway gridlock. Everyone governed at the same speed on the ECM but each having a different size tire, making the speed at the wheel faster or slower, so you will have one truck that can do 65, one that can do 64.7 the other doing 65.1 all trying to pass each other for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles…….
randy says
Yup, and then you are going to have heavy loaded trucks running the down hill, and light trucks running the uphill. In my mind i picture MILES AND MILES of rolling road blocks playing armpit tag.
Mike says
Yeah go ahead and set all trucks at the same speed that way we are all out here turtle racing the hell outta each other all damn day like a bunch of monkeys. It’s bad enough right now when ya get 2 mega carriers racing for miles and miles, oughta be real damn fun when it’s every truck on the road! That rule won’t last long, too many 4 wheelers will be complaining about all the rolling roadblocks. I say if they pass this rule, let the race begin!! Truckers of America unite and block all the roads up all day long lmao that’ll be priceless!!!
Jaco says
I say, don’t wait till they pass the law. Let’s show them what they’re fighting for. One day of all-trucks-doing-55mph would give them an idea of what is comming.
Thomas Johnson says
We have to make deliveries in time frames calculated on a computer not including dock times
goinpostal says
Two falsehoods!!
Back in the day Dick Simon cut their fleet speed to 67mph.
My 98’FLD120with a 430/470Detroit was set at 74mph,and averaged between 7.8,and 8.2mpg depending on the area traveled.
After the fleet speed was cut,I was lucky to get more than 6.1mpg.
A car that slams on the brakes 10′ off your bumper is actually in less danger than one at 50′.
Simple physics.
If you hit an object on motion.
You transfer less energy than you would if that object was stationary.
At50′ spacing the vehicle in front of you hitting the brakes will be stopped, or close to it if you hit them.
I personally try to keep as much space as possible between me and another vehicle in front of me.
Though we all know that can be damn near impossible in congested traffic.
If we are pay by the miles.
We should be regulated by how many miles we can drive per day(650).
That would be easy for both the driver,and DOT to keep track of.
If we are regulated by the hours we can work.
Then we should be payed by the hours we are working,just like everybody else.
Complete with two15min breaks,a lunch break,overtime, holidays, insurance,ect..
Matt
JD says
That’s part of the reason I had to quit driving. It’s a 24 hour a day job with no weekends.
mike says
Lets put speed limiter on cars they are more likely to have a wreck then trucks we are professorial s.
Bill B says
Yes a lot of trucks have limiters on them including mine at 67 but even running at 67 I almost get run over by 4 wheelers.!!! Some states are looking at raising there speed limits. How is that going to help in the safety of a truck when you got cars going no less than 75.
Douglas Kirk says
Sorry Jerri- the trucking industry has been hated for nearly a hundred years, way before anybody heard of Walmart. The only reason these asinine rules exist is because nobody has the balls to tell the feds to back off or else. How long do you think it would take for a total shutdown to have an effect on Washington? The biggest problem I have seen is that the big players are always the first to bend over to anything the FMCSA dreams up, then smile and ask if they should bend farther. Sriously, if EVERYONE told the so-called authorities to take a flying leap off a cliff there would be instantaneous relief from the regulatory burden that has been crammed down our throats and up our collective asses for the last 25 years or so. What could they possibly do-force you at gunpoint to get in the truck and deliver the load? Unions are not the answer either. There is absolutely no point in paying someone for the privilege of having another layer of ‘you have to do this and you can’t do that’ hanging over your head. People speaking up for their ideas have a remarkable effect. Have you ever heard of LBJ, Nixon, the Berlin Wall, the fall of Communism? Don’t sit in the parking lot and bitch on the radio. Talk to your elected REPRESENTATIVE. If they believe the issue will either cost them votes or gain them support in the political arena they will pay attention.
Ktowner says
after reading all these comments it makes me curious where most of you actually drive I drive a lot in the midwest and it amazes me how many trucks speed in every construction zone, and in every 55 mile zone that I drive through on a daily basis.
the most dangerous thing on any interstate in this country is a truck driver driving the speed limit at 55 or 60, and another Billy big-rigger truck driver driving 75. I see it every single day that I work driving my truck.
in my opinion every single tractor trailer in this country should be governed at 65.
Cargo says
Thanks government for the raise!!!!
Set everyone at 55 reduce all speed limits to 55 for trucks.
My services and time are now at a premium. Tie this in with elogs and we’ll all be richer healthier and safer.
Why drive faster harder for less pay…
Some ppl just don’t get the smarter not harder line.
Can’t wait for the shortage to become a real shortage!
Gimme that $100 for taking over an hour shipper….what you doing ordering a truck if you don’t have anything to ship. Solved that.
Struggling says
I am unable to tell if you are being sarcastic…
One thing I know is—is that there is NO shortage of truck drivers, contrary to the myth that perpetuates at truck driving schools and news reports. There IS , however, a shortage of truck drivers who have a clean record and few CSA points and who want a livable wage and who can deal with the bullcrap that a truck driver has to endure.
All any company, trucking or the farm growing tomatoes has to do to reduce a labor shortage, is increase the rate of pay for the worker. But nahw, that is too equitable.
Mike says
If you are on a highway and say the speed limit is 70 mph but your truck is governed to 65 you are not safer , nor is the motoring public safer. In fact you are now a moving obstical to be negotiated by thousands of faster traveling vehicles. I’ve personaly witnessed accidents that were caused by cars trying to change lanes or fail to change lanes in time creating the cause of the accident. Any one with half a brain would know if you place an obstical in fast moving traffic an accident will ensue. Safe driving involves being predictable. Staying with the flow of traffic and avoiding unnecessary lane changes and of course steadfast concentration on changing road conditions.
Kevin Pixley says
If a speed limiter rule is imposed, then take one step further. Place another national law, that there is no passing on the right. I am not for more laws and regulation. Sometime it is difficult to get back to the right when someone is there trying to pass.
ShooterK2 says
Soooo, aside from causing trucks to clog up highways nationwide, decreasing the image of an already frowned-upon industry, what is the government planning do with the older trucks? You know, the ones with all mechanical engines, not controlled by a computer. How are they planning to “limit” the speed on these trucks? A biscuit under the gas pedal? If they don’t, then I suspect the value to climb sky-high on pre-computer trucks, as well as parts for these trucks, as many owner/operators as well as many small companies scramble to buy them.
And what about the guy who puts tall rubber on a truck that was not designed for it, making his truck run 4-5 mph faster than the speedometer and computer think it’s going….. what do they plan on doing there? I guess they will then pass yet ANOTHER law making it illegal to change tire/wheel size.
Not to mention trucks that have had differential/transmission changes, also causing the truck to run faster. Another law prohibiting that as well?
Also, it has been proven that, in the event of a steer tire blowout, the safest course of action is to apply power to the drive wheels (ie: accelerate) to help maintain control of the vehicle. A scenario that would be completely impossible if the truck was running against the limiter all day (I can smell the lawsuits already).
If the FMCSA is all about safety, as they say they are, then this dangerous (and ridiculous) rule will be shelved.
DonM says
I think the limiters will be fine as long as they let the truck run around 100 MPH.
David says
I don’t see were speed limiters do anything but make more of a mess, most trucks have governors anyway, if u make trucks run let’s say 55 mph, cars at 70 that’s an acct. waiting to happen! Now at 55 if a driver can’t stop when he or she gets tired on this fabulous 14 hour rule that is supposed to be so great, u fall a sleep! People still get hurt or worst. It doest take a rocket scientist! It’s up to the driver! Now every 1 is taking chances to make up time! Oh ya that we don’t get payed 4, our time.
cherokee rose says
What good will it do to put governors on all trucks? Have you ever tried to pass trucks that are governed at 55 or 60 on a hill or heavily laiden. Traffic backs up quickly, not to mention the 4-wheelers chomping at the bit to pass, making unsafe manuevers, flying around the big trucks and driving recklessly as a result of their frustrations. If the powers that be want to pursue this discriminatory action, then they should also put govenors on EVERY commercial vehicle on the road to include personal vehicles with a “commercial vehicle” sticker on it, every Mary Kay pink cadillac, etc. The Federal government wants to get rid of every owner/operator on the road and all of the “big box” trucking companies are incahoots with them. The FMCSA really needs to address the safety issues on the training level. They should regulate and oversee every CDL school, private and especially the ones at the big box trucking companies that are subsidized by our tax dollars. I’m just trying to keep my head above water as an owner/operator. I’m in the wrong business….I should open a truck driving school. All I would have to do is buy some raged out equipment, solicit the government for students, collect a cool average of 8500.00 per student, teach only the basics all in only a few weeks. Really?!?
Tired of double standards says
The problem with the D.O.T. and the F.M.C.S.A. is that they are not about safety on the speed limiter regulations and the hours of service. This is nothing more than a money making issue. Just like everything else that has to do with the tucking industry. (NOT SAFETY ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.)
The speed limits keep getting raised throughout the United States. The fact of the matter is there is not enough room on the highways for the speeds that are being increased to. The split speed limit is the most ridiculous thing they claim is safe. Just like Truckers lane restrictions. Lets get back to the reason that the road was really built in the first place was to move Military equipment and Transport freight. Not designed for cars. Oh lets change everything to benifit the cars and not the trucks. That’s what I’m referring to on Safety. When all trucks are governed and going slow down the road and cars still acting foolish and reckless. As usual cars changing lanes without proper lane change because we are impeding their progress. Not to mention the excessive tail gating, driving down the shoulder. Lets govern the cars to a minimum 65 mph. Let the trucks drive in the left lanes through towns with a no car in the left lane law. The only exception to the rule for big trucks not being in the left lanes is if they have a local delivery. If cars are caught in the left lanes there will be a mandatory $1500.00 fine imposed by a 3 pnt. deduction from license only if there are no infractions during the traffic stop. Put the same laws on cars as trucks with the same fine penalties. See how long the F.M.C.S.A. will be popular then. Lets cut through the chase. What you do to the trucks you need to do to the cars and impose the same price for doing these things. Further more the same amount of time that a truck can drive and work so be it for the cars too. Log on to your computer in your car and drive and get records from hourly jobs if there is an accident involving a car. H.O.S for cars. Why not? after all these are all safety issues. This way an a driver of a car that has worked 40 hrs in 8 days can’t take off and drive from East Coast to the West Coast in a weekend or drive under fatigue. Cars should be inspected every year,road side inspections for mechanics, fatigue, and safety compliance. Tow there vehicles for the same price as a semi truck. The same shop prices. Lets put the same stipulations on them that are on Commercial motor vehicles. Let think Safety across the board not just isolating who you think are unsafe. You have Safety Enforcement Officers that do some pretty stupid stunts. They are very dangerous for all on the road. Their equipment not up to safety standards.( I.E. lights out, driving in rain and no lights on, passing not using turn signals, illegal lane changes,and so on. They are supposed to set an example. IT’S ABOUT THE MONEY NOT SAFETY. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!
Tommy A says
The “o[der” generation of drivers know how to drive safely at any speed. With trucks not limited they can maneuver in traffic without taking hostages. The “newer” generation, however, is barely capable of basic truck driving at 55 mph. When we have the mega-carriers like Schneider, Swift, and England sending their “kids” out on the road with 90 days training, it stand to reason they want them going slow. But that should not be the way to set the bar for the entire industry. I had to start as a steering wheel holder at 62 mph. Now that I’ve become “older” I can drive for an O/O at the posted limit in any state and pass safely (quickly) when necessary. The comments about how this reg. proposal will affect pay are right. We got into these jobs for the money, not the glory.
Jimmy says
FMCSA is so stupid, and so are the companies. My truck is governed at 62, and I am so tired of 4 wheelers passing me, flipping me off, cutting in front of me and hitting their brakes because we are moving too slow. It was just a few short years ago, that the ATA, OOIDA, the companies were all calling for the heads of the governors of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and others that had “split speed limits”, usually 55 for trucks, 65 for all others… they said it was dangerous and a safety hazard to have that much difference in speed. Then, fuel costs went up, all of a sudden we are slowed down so much that we can’t get out of each other’s way… but all of a sudden, the companies all say it’s for safety purposes. Well, I am calling BS on that. It’s all about saving on fuel, and safety be damned. It’s all about the almighty dollar.
JD says
I stopped trucking 2 years ago. The pay has improved since then but not adequately. I agree with the Hoffa’s union idea. As long as you take it you will keep getting it. Trucking is survival, it is hard on the body and mind. It’s not worth years off my life. The day just half, not all, the truckers- about 2 million, stop for 2 to 4 weeks the sooner corporate US of A will say, “Oh, **it”! Every single company will lose so much money. China will say “What, no one is buying our products?” Then the people of our great country will see how much a CDL is worth!
Otto A says
I just Googled, “percentage of accidents caused by”. I got to page five before the word”semi” or “truck” appeared, and it happened to be this. “80 percent of semi truck accidents caused by passenger vehicles …”
Split speed limits weren’t safe when it was road signs. How will it be safer under the guise of “speed limiters” ?
Time to send OOIDA PAC fund a check. ?..
Jon delmont says
North America has millions of truck drivers. We have the power to bring this country to its knees in a few days. Imagine being paid for all your time at work, like a normal working person.
Will it ever happen? No.
Bitch bitch bitch bitch!
That’s all you drivers ever do. If you don’t have the balls to change the industry you chose.
Get the hell out.
Driver says
It will be just another politically-motivated restriction on the people, with the ostensible purpose of reducing highway fatalities or injuries. Every time Big Brother and others spout “it helps save lives”, I can’t help but think of how hypocritical and evil that notion is, since it is legal to kill one’s unborn baby (what sort of barbarians approve of such?). We are not allowed to make God-judgments of life or death, except in cases where one has forfeited his right to life through heinous crime. Besides, if the people were free, they would decide whether to buckle up or choose to observe proper driving techniques. But, since they’re not free, those decisions are made for them, whether or not they like it. IF the people had proper moral sense, all these rules could not be justified, because the people would treat others with courtesy and consideration, as they themselves would like to be treated.
We all know, or should know, that the vast majority of highway accidents are caused by “non-drivers” of four- and six-wheeled vehicles. They are just too comfortable, and imagine that paying strict attention to their driving takes a distant second position to the priority of deliberate distractions.
Always remember: when Big Brother talks about safety, what is really intended is Revenue and Control.
Ken says
OK this goes on and on. I think if you can’t bend rules or even go the speed limit in some case’s people will be tempted to drive longer and doctor the logs. As for the trip you made everyday on time at 70 mph that took 4 hours and now takes 30 min longer and is late because your new truck only goes 62 mph it’s ridiculous. More to ridiculous I drive a body on chassis 15 Passenger bus. We just got 2 new 2014 and they do the speed limit here of 75 mph. It’s not 70k lb BUT it is a cmv and has 15 people on it. Also what happened to being more then 15 mph below the speed limit required hazard lights on. You people running 80 mph limits must use them allot. LOL
shauna says
I do not get why it is such a big deal about speed limitations, I mean it only saves minutes not hours. Ones who complain really need to do the math, too many drivers blow past for me to only see them an hour later at a Truck Stop.