Following the ATA’s announcement that they expect speed limiters to be required on every CMV and that they should top out at no more than 65mph, the rest of the industry are making their voices heard in response.
Unsurprisingly, chief among the opponents to mandatory speed limiters was OOIDA. Executive Vice President Todd Spencer sent a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration outlining exactly why mandatory speed limiters are such a bad idea. In the letter, Spencer focuses mostly on how creating a huge difference between the speed of trucks and the cars around them can only end badly, but he raises other good points as well.
Here’s a quote that sums it up nicely:
“To the casual observer, mandating speed limiters on heavy-duty vehicles might seem like a ‘safety silver bullet.’ Professional drivers know, however, that highway safety is not so simple.”
Indeed, the issue seems to be that the ATA and the FMCSA see speed as a factor in accidents and so jump to the conclusion that to prevent those accidents, they simply need to make it impossible to drive too fast. On paper, they may be right. But what they fail to see – in addition to the speed difference point OOIDA made – are the real-world situations that drivers find themselves in where they need to be able to speed up in order to avoid an accident or dangerous situation.
The FMCSA has been in the process of coming up with a mandatory speed limiter rule for some time now, so it seems unlikely that they will ever change their stance on these “safety features.”
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Source: overdrive, thetrucker, ccj, ttnews, fleetowner
Angelo says
Ridiculous, when has a transport truck acceleration ability been associated with the split second reaction time to get out of harms way. If something is happening or about to happen, stepping on the fuel of a loaded transport is a moot point. You’re not acceleration anywhere quickly.
Jonathan says
It’s not about speeding up quickly, it’s about breaking out of dangerous situations. Say there are several vehicles all together but plenty of room ahead to spread out, or your near the head of a line of traffic coming on from a ramp. How about hills, it’d be nice for the engine to start pulling before falling below 65, unless you want to see us all going 40 after the first half mile of a 5% grade. The point is that there are times to go slow and there are times to speed up, there is no magic top speed, and if you should trust a professional driver to decide when to use each.
Michael says
It sounds to me like you’ve never driven a fast truck, Angelo. You’d be surprised how often speeding up is appropriate, and possible, even when you’re grossed out.
You see a truck about to merge ahead of you. You don’t have anywhere to go. a) You can gouge on it and speed up enough to allow the truck to fall in behind you safely. b) You can brake it down and dump most of your speed to allow the truck to come out in front of you. c) You can hold what you’ve got, and hope the other truck has enough sense to yield.
Put yourself in a truck with a low maximum speed, and now your options are b or c only. Brake it down hard, or hope the other truck yields. He’s required by law to yield, and maybe he will, but what if he doesn’t? In effect, braking it down it he only option you have in a slow truck.
The other place having a slow truck really bites you is on hills. You’re rolling the actual speed limit, because gravity is allowing you to go that fast for once in your life, and then you start up the other side, and there’s nothing, nothing, nothing, and then the engine finally gets fuel again now that you’ve bled off all your momentum, and you have to start dropping gears. Did you save any fuel climbing the entire mountain one gear lower? I seriously doubt it.
I’ve driven trucks both ways, and I drive a 65 mph truck now. You adjust to what you have, and adapt, and it’s not a life or death issue to me. Even so, I much prefer a truck that will run up to about 85 or so, because I have options, and I prefer having options.
Robert says
Totally agree
Matt says
Just another amateur 4 wheeler driver that thinks these trucks can’t get out of their own way. Angelo, you would be amazed how fast an empty truck or truck filled with pillows can move.
Angelo says
Matt, speed is hardly a factor in accident aversion in an automobile so your load of sailboat fuel doesn’t give you special powers.
Steering out of harms way, slowing Fuentes or braking is still the most effective method to avoid and accident. That’s a science based fact.
The groups examples in where speed has value in accident aversion is nothing more than anecdotal , romantic notions.
mike says
speed is a factor. That four wheeler thats coming up behind you at 90 won’t even see you pull out into the next lane and it will hit you hard because you are not traveling at the an approved speed limit. I as well as other drivers ,see it every day. You come upon a vehicle and get ready to change lanes as soon as the idiot next to you gets out of the way and as you go to pull out there is another four wheeler coming up behind you fast and he isn’t about to let you change lanes until he goes by and as he’s going by he stops beside you to see how fast you are going and now you have no speed left to continue. the piece of crap 4 wheeler has made his point and as he zooms off he lets you know that you are the best driver in the world by giving you the fickled finger of fate award. Now for my ? . When are we going to see speed limiters on four wheelers ?
Clifford says
Well said, Michael. That is how it needs to be presented to the powers that be who will decide about any mandate. OODIA is stuck on the differential speed thing, which is true, but you described this better than I have ever heard them do it.
Angelo D says
Read it again. I said “Speed aversion” as in the need for speed to avert an accident is a moot point unless you believe a truck can accelerate out of harms way when backing is considerably more responsive.
What your describing is the “Speed differential.” A raiding of automobile speed limits likely for political points with no regard for the Speed differential that will be artificially and deliberately created with trucks.
It’s popular to raise speed limits for cars in a show of delivering liberty while dealing with those unruly and dangerous Cowboys. Insert your own narrative that fits. It’s all to serve themselves more votes.
Angelo says
Hate to disappoint you, but we have benn governed in Canada for years.
As for myself, I’ve been driving 600 miles a day for 32 years. I’ve seen more that my fair share of “FAST” trucks.
The fact that all truckers do their 500 miles a day at or around 65 mph and that Canada had never seen the doom and gloom that you speak of from governed trucks, completely disproves your hypotgesis that speed has value in accident aversion.
Butch says
Canadian trucks limited at 65 miles per hour, Angelo? Nonsense. I drive through all the southern provinces in a 65 mph truck and I am passed by almost everyone on the highway…even through Toronto construction zones. I am forced to drive in the right lane because I am a hazard at 65.
Angelo D says
There a drivers out there that manipulate their computers to run faster. Naturally , you’re always going to get those who need to find a way arounfpd the law. To there own demise if they want to advertise openly that hey have tampered with their black box. “Cowboys,” not professionals.
Brian White says
Angelo: for me, it’s not a matter of who’s going fast or not. In THIS country (the U.S.) we value our individual liberty and freedom MUCH more than the heavy-handed daily interference from desk jockeys in our bloated government.
Although, unfortunately there ARE a growing number of numbskulls that would like nothing more than to have the GD government involved in every aspect of our lives.
As for me, the ATA & FMCSA can take their speed limiter ideas and shove ’em.
Angelo says
And in conclusion you admit that the driver can make it work at 65 mph and that a fast truck is a personal preference for the sake of convenience.
Brian White says
Michael, I agree with what you’ve said, and that exactly how I operate. However, I would take exception to one little thing: At the beginning of your second paragraph you say “You see another truck about to merge ahead of you”. What I would suggest is indicating what happens more and more: “You see a truck about to ignore the YIELD sign ahead of you…”.
Unfortunately, I see MANY truckers drive their trucks as if they’re just any other four wheeler on the road not paying attention.
Webster Stubbs says
I totally agree with you on that statement
Al says
Poor Angie, must be difficult driving a slow truck while watching the adults go by doing the speed limit. Kinda like you never got away from the kids table at Thanksgiving.
Matt says
For that matter, my fully loaded furniture truck goes from 0 to 65 in about 30 seconds, not much slower than your Altima, if you weren’t driving like a boob trying to get in front of everyone (to be first at the next red light).
Angelo says
An automobile does 0-65 mph between 4 seconds and 14 seconds. Your truck is double that which is considerably slower, not “not much slower. ” here’s part of the problem in that most drivers failed Physics 101.!
Angelo says
It’s never bothered me. The fact that I never have to second guess my speed is a relief from that duty that allows more visual time out the windshields.
It’s no wonder truckers never get respect when they still living on the bravado & macho BS.of the romantic past rather than accept the more professional realities that being non- confrontational is “PROFESSIONAL.” You allow the merge, you don’t play ” Beat the merge.”
That is the essence of professionalism, not rationalizing speed as a lynch pin in safety like some “Mad Max” movie,
These are the immature notions that keep trucking from becoming a Skilled Trade.
I’ve also been an owner operator that knows the difference between 5 mpg & 7.5 mpg. You must be making way too much money to consider these things or its not your money at all.
jack w says
You’re driving 65 in the right lane on the interstate. 7-8 cars packed like nascar in the left lane, closing at 75 mph. Oversize load coming on the interstate. You can’t move to the left lane unless you can accelerate. Speed can get you out of a “situation”, it’s just one less tool at our disposal.
Angelo says
Slowing down to allow the merge would be the professional choice.
steve says
Pretty sure that is not the professional choice. At no time should one slow down to allow someone to merge on the highway. Thus the reason for those little signs on the on ramp that says YIELD, but since 4-wheelers dont know what this sign means (latin not being their strong suit) it means they are yet again being a hazard for others. how about we not focus on what speed a truck is doing and enforce the laws for cars. the safer they are the better off trucks are for the most part.
Angelo D says
Two wrongs don’t make a right. If you leave the responsibility of acceleration to a shortly and poorly designed on ramp because your not willing to allow a proper zipper merge by backing off, it’s not really the place to claim an omnipotent right to the road.
If I may interject with what should be obvious definition of “Professional” which is not simply in the ability to operate a machine, but also in the ability to recognize the abilities or incompetence of others and adjust ones attitude and etiquette to accommodate such shortcomings in others or in road engineering.
If you choose to expect perfect behaviour from mere mortals on the road, then I suggest your reality is your own. As professional drivers , most complain about the behaviour of others on the road as less than polite, but our own narrative as “Professionals” is just as delusional to expect better or to think that it can be made better when the reality is that we already expect the worst and like drama queens, complain about it rather than expect and adjust for it. Deal with reality on an honest level and you won’t be shaking your fist at the world so often
David says
Angelo, I won’t argue about what you feel is correct or not. I will, however, give you a few facts about the “split-speed limits. America had a nationwide truck speed limit back in the day (55 mph). It wasn’t very long that they saw the increase in rear end accidents, road rage, and other problems. So, they got rid of it, and even on the U.S. Dept. of Transportation website and any official in that Dept. will tell you that Split speeds are unsafe. Look it up, it is there. My question is why are some special interest trying to repeat history?
Infosaur says
Go watch the video about a steer tire blowout and get back to us Angelo.
Red Dickerson says
Numerous reasons this is a bad idea:
1. Congestion of large CV bumper to bumper
2. The magnification of accidents between large CV and automobiles due to impatience and frustration of auto drivers for reason #1.
3. Thousands of owner operators will refuse to let any government agency dictate his trucks engine parameters and will either ignore, sell, and future new sales dropping rapidly.
4. The already suffering need of truck drivers will ten fold. Older experiened drivers wont tolerate a “large fleet cookie cutter slow truck” and leave the industry completely leaving a large % of only little experienced drivers.
5. Speed differences on highways between a automobiles 80 mph and a large CV 65 mph is gonna get alot of people hurt.
Angelo says
Red, most of your points are snnectfotal platitudes and your last 2 points is what’s needed to bring in a more professional renaissance in trucking … And maybe , just maybe truckers won’t have to claim “Oh woe with us” in the future.
” The truth knocks on the door and you say, go away! I’m looking for the truth, and so it goes away”
— Robert Persig.
Geo says
The company I work for limits the tractors to 62 mph and turned the power almost all the way down and limited the rpms to 1600 for shifts
on auto shift transmissions.
We are rolling roadblocks and people in 4 wheel vehicles get really mad when they get caught behind us and I mean Road Rage mad.
It would make better sense to make a ruling that would give specific Right of Way laws to big commercial vehicles.
Cars and SUVs should yield the right of way to bigger trucks anyways.
I don’t believe there should be speed governors on trucks or cars and I also believe in extended driver training for those that don’t drive commercial vehicles.
The roads in this nation should also have more areas for us to pull off and rest without getting DOT’d while on break.
As for being stopped anytime or anywhere just because the DOT feels like it should also be looked at.
This nation is way behind Europe and seems to employ only non truck drivers to make the laws.
Robert says
The real problem is the difference between cars and trucks speed will creat a much more hazardous driving condition. Obviously these morons never drove a truck. Tell these people to ride with me in my 65mph truck and see how safe they feel while there four wheeler counterparts are forcing themselves in front of me. Or when I have to make a lane change and every ja on the road is making it a life mission not to let me over. Etc etc etc this will be one of the dumbest rules ever. By the ten previous studies done all came to the conclusion it is safer when trucks travel within 5mph of traffic/four wheelers why not learn from these studies. Can you not see how dangerous this is to make trucks go that much slower. and why 65 how about 45 or 35 or what the hell 5mph that must be super safe arg such a stupid idea.
glenn says
Big companies in ATA are using this as ploy to end owner operator freedoms. Most commercial vehicle accidents involve the big trucking company trucks that are already cut back. Insurance cost is pushing as well. Its corporate america ruining american freedoms again.
Minneapolis minn driver says
I think the cameras should be pointing out towards the traffic to show what four wheelers aren’t yielding. If there were statistics and video showing how often the four wheelers caused the problem it would make truck drivers look good.
jesse says
If there going to put it on trucks y not cars also and see how outraged Johnny d.o.t is when he can only do 65 to get to and from work every day
Lee Carter says
The government has no right to tell me how fast I can operate my truck. My MVR shows that I run the speed limit, but the speed limit is not 65 most places I go. You can put a speed limiter on my truck as soon as the first car comes off the line with one
Steve Bell says
It seems to me that you guys who loudly proclaim that you are not going to comply with the law…are the main driving force behind …all of the cameras and driver monitors..
Matt says
My argument here is A: REALLY! You’re 80,000 pounds, 40 TONS!!!! How much less carnage and damage is the real result between hitting a line of traffic, or a toll booth at 65 and hitting that same line of traffic at 72. It’s more, I admit. But by the time you already run over the first car, You’re already jail bound. Oh. And you already shouldn’t have been in the drivers seat to begin with. B: the vast majority of accidents involving trucks, exxing out backing accidents are 1: Commercial trucks less than 18 wheels, 2: sideswiping accidents and 3: low speed roll over accidents. None of which involve excessive speed. Not to mention study after study continue to conclude that the vast majority of wrecks are the fault of a vehicle other than the 18 wheelers. Period. This is ATA schmoozing FMCSA to make them more profitable by lowering costs.
steve says
Also something that seems not to be mentioned; excessive speed is a relative term. If you leave your cruise set at 62, and you don’t slow down for the construction zone, that is excessive speed. If you are driving in Wyoming at 72, it is not excessive.
Craig says
A big problem, by limiting all trucks to 65, you create more rolling road blocks than you can imagine. want proof, drive in Canada near Toronto or try I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock. So if you want slower trucks, expect to see 15 minutes to pass one another. which just pisses off 4 wheelers who will pass on any side they can, including the median and shoulder.
Jeremy says
This is a ridiculous idea.If you think limiting all trucks to lower speeds then you have never tried to be in a limited truck.It is much more difficult and dangerous to drive.In a limited truck you constantly have drivers cutting you off in the front cars beside you and a line behind you.Then anytime you get over in the left lane for any reason the traffic on the right speeds up your trapped there with a line on your blindside.This idea that slower is safer needs to be put to rest.
a. beatty says
What they should do is, make it mandatory that trucks are governed no lower than 65mph. Trucks governed at 55-64mph are nothing but a hazard.
Scott says
Sorry, but I say limit them ALL. The scenarios that I have read are BS. Rarely can a accident be avoided by speeding up that couldn’t be avoided by slowing down or moving. Try looking ahead and leaving yourself a out. If you are doing 55 and need a quick boost for some reason you got 10mph more. Hitting hills hard may save me a little time and fuel but running at 55 save me a lot more fuel.
The drivers who run over 65 are doing it not for safety reasons but a little extra pay. One speeding ticket or one accident and all that extra pay is gone.
The only question I have is when will the 4 wheelers get limiters. They as a whole are worst than our reckless drivers.
Debo says
55..? Sir do you drive a CMV?
Scott says
12 years now. Another thing that will improve safety is getting rid of per mile and per load rates. Take away the reward for speeding. Companies always preach safety in their meetings while dispatchers scream “get it done” and schedule loads that can’t be done without speeding. Speed, speed,speed or else, just remember I told you not to. Cover their butts, make more, pay the driver a little more for taking all the risk.
Pay by the hour. Have honest delivery windows. If a driver milks it fire them. Otherwise let us do our jobs SAFELY.
Kelly says
Pay by the hour, lol. i can only speak for myself, I would never get paid per hour what I make per mile factored hourly, gross revenue and net profit.
I like to get paid for the value of dependable service I provide. Last week I used almost my full 70 rare. I’ll say I used all. My gross was near 4800, I’ll use 4700. 4700/70 is 67.14 per hour gross. My net profit to my S corp is 46k after all expenses, before 11k profit sharing to my solo 401k. I contribute 160 a week from my check, and fully fund a Roth IRA.
Where can I go with only hs diploma, truck driving considered unskilled labor, to make nearly 100k and put 25.5k in retirement, 5-6 weeks vacation. Not quite 8 years trucking, over 6 as O/O.
I can back this with settlements and 1099. Where, and how much per hour, it aint happening. The best path to prosperity is the one you create working with otbers, not just for them.
Kelly says
Bs on every instance 55 saves over 65, on many probably.
I’ve been the 65, then 55 and now back to 63 to 65, except when limit is lower.
I pull a tanker with 03 Columbia Detroit 12.7. Bought with 615k, pushing 1400k. Rebuilt in 12 at 990k was still fine, did it for warranty.
I mainly run east IA to Austin every week, and a short haul. I drove 55 for a year every where except going to CA. I avg 7.2 a year and it took about 19.5 hours each way.
I switched to singles in 6/12 and decided to do a lift axle, and a 10 speed direct from a 13, in 7/13. Now since my truck had over a mill and this was original drivetrain, was a good time to do after research.
I have other engine items I did before these, Powerbox, ceramic coated polished manifold, lager cfm turbo, foam air filter. HP is probably 525 to rear wheels, torque in 1650 area. Not the most powerful unit, but I can pass traffic, pull grades, and bump it if times tight.
Also did Microblue on rebuild, and tranny, and diff, extra 5k for all if memory is correct. Lift axle done a tad over 7k. Last year first full calendar year I avg 8.37. I drive in that 63-65 area mainly, and I get to Austin in 18 not 19.5. I figure I got at least 3 hrs of my life back not driving, more efficiently, and more profitable. Ive made back the extra I spent in fuel savings, now its just profit.
David says
55? Do you only drive in California? 70-75 is the speed limit for the majority of the states now. 55 mph is a thing of the past that went away after years of rear end accidents. California just lives in the past.
Debo says
I’ve been on the road for 25 plus years. I drove my first truck that was governed down to 63 four years ago. I had to get out of the truck immediately. I couldn’t keep my eyes open in the truck it moved so slow. This is no joke the slow rocking motion with the hum of the engine almost instantly put me to sleep! Now think about all the trucks you’ve seen lately run off the road and turned over. Guaranteed that the driver feel asleep. This is a horrible idea and will surely push what’s left of the old hands in the industry out the door!
vince says
The chaos will begin when they enforce this, trust me! 65 is not 65 in all trucks, some will be slower and some right on….but when trucks can’t pass a slow car or another slower truck it’s going to create major road rage and congestion….Sometimes vehicles like to ride you coat tale and won’t let you over etc…..what happens then? Trucks will be slowing traffic down to get over instead of speeding up to make it in a slot…
Speeds for cars are going to be crazy and I guarantee there will be trucks getting rear ended if not brake checked……
Angelo says
Hate to disappoint you all, but I’m working on 32 year and 4 . 5 million miles .
We have benn governed at 66 mph up in Canada for years and theses issues your talking about have never manifested or have ever come up,
All my miles are accident free and some as a trainer so you would have to demonstrate to me how these scenarios could ever come to fruition.
until then. The statement is false except for more of that dramatic affect of woe on the trucker.
Ziegmont says
After reading thru this entire piece, Angelo you could have saved a lot of type by simply stating that you are content with yielding any and all traffic options to all 4whlrs and merging traffic, while driving whatever kind of vehicle the government says you should. Fine, we get it. That works for you. But you really shouldn’t equate passive surrender in all traffic situations to being the “safest” option for all. More than likely most of those “Cowboys” as you call them are drivers doing a lot of miles in the U.S. that have come to see that options are a good thing. There is no one kind of traffic, nor only one way to deal with any and all situations. Speed regulators will not make safe driver or rid the road of poor judgment. Attentive, professional behavior is what makes for safer drivers, and it’s necessary at all speeds. In the U.S. there’s so much road over so many different areas that a driver having the ‘option’ to drive a few mph faster given where he’s running, conditions, and posted speeds is simply a common sense thing. I’ve seen my share of governed trucks and passes taking miles of time only to be crushed by a slight incline or whatever. I’ll take options over mandates every time.
Corky Freeman says
All this is about is competition. When deregulation was implemented many small mom-and-pop trucking operations sprung up. They could not compete with the large mega carriers pricewise, so what they did was compete by offering a better service. They did this in various ways including shorter delivery time, better customer service. Not surprisingly a lot of companies are more concerned with the quality of service than just the price. To do this these companies had to hire drivers that were a cut above the rest. Experienced, dedicated, and skilled drivers that could get the job done. These companies could not pay all that much more than the large mega carriers, so to attract the cream of the crop they had to make better offerings. One way is in equipment, a nicer truck, higher speed, and a minimal amount of the electronics the mega carriers need to babysit their “seat meat” drivers. These are the drivers that don’t have to have 24/7 handholding just to get their job done. In other words these are the drivers that a carrier can hand the keys to and not worry about whether he’s going to get the job done or not. Now the rub comes from the fact these mega carriers cannot attract that kind of driver so they’re at a competitive disadvantage. Let’s just let our benevolent government assist them in hindering competition. Speed limiters, E -logs, satellite tracking, and a whole plethora of electronic wizardry that allows these carriers to scrape the bottom of the barrel for drivers. Anyway they can hamper their competitions ability to deliver superior service they will do, including getting into bed with the regulatory agencies via the ATA. These rules regulations and laws have absolutely nothing to do with safety. Just my humble opinion.
Kelly says
I could see validity in this belief.
steve says
I agree with you in principle, but your time line is backwards. Very few of the mega carriers were mega carriers under regulation. They took off after deregulation, which was 8 years before the first electronic engines. The mega carriers of that era, TransCon, CF,PIE, etc are all gone, and they used to pay. Owner operators used to have “exempt” authorization and ran reefer east, and trip leased coming back. That all changed with deregulation, and those bottom feeders took off. The speed limit was still 55, and only the oo trucks were geared to speed. With fuel cheap up until 9/11, some companies still offered, in the trucking magazines, that you could drive the speed limit in every state. Werner and Swift had classic trucks to separate themselves from the other mega carriers. After EPA 2002 and oil creeping up, the megas started giving their drivers only the aero trucks and slowed it down, but they didn’t pay any more than they did before!
Animal16365 says
Funny. Those companies that want speed limiters on trucks fail to realize that if you look at there CSA 2010 scores. You’ll see most if not all of them have points concerning speeding drivers. You can be speeding on 2 lane roads and not just on the highways. Plus speeding in construction zones and so on and so forth
Joey says
I have a dash cam in my company truck that is governed at 65. I spend most of my time in 75mph zones (Nebraska Wyoming Kansas South Dakota) if I were to post online some of the stuff CARS do on the interstate they would see that cars are the cause of major traffic accidents on the interstate. I think that cars and trucks should be governed at the same speed wether it’s at 65 or 70 or even 75. I think they need to focus on public safety has opposed to try to limit the amount of money a driver can make.
Macgyver says
I wouldn’t be worrying too much about any of this anymore. When the new $14 min wage goes into effect, we can all ditch this job and flip burgers for better pay, because we know FULL WELL that the wages we make, which add up to min wage now, will not go up to keep pace.
Any money we owe to the bank, i.e. loans, cannot be pro-rated, so it should be fairly easy to pay off our debts….
Charles Irvin says
Hmmm…let me see here…
They want to limit the speed of trucks to 65mph. The speed limit in Canada is 100 Kph = 68 mph (they’ll let you slide if you’re doing 70 Mph, as I have been doing up there for the past 6 years)
The speed limit where I live (Nevada) is 75 Mph. States that I travel to the most (Wyoming, Utah, west Texas) are all 80 Mph. The states that are in-between the fastest ones, areall 75 Mph.
For what it’s worth, I see VERY FEW people in cars, that will travel as slow as the maximum speed, no matter where I go. So, in that light, it would be not only senseless, but outright dangerous, if the government introduces a mandatory 65 Mph limit on commercial vehicles.
Add to this, the simple fact that there is NO law that says that commercial vehicles are to be subservient to automobiles on highways. So, why is somebody trying to do this?
Because, this is how companies such as Swift, Knight, England, Pride, Etc., make their money: they sell space on their trailers in the same way as airlines sell space in their cargo holds, and if they get a contract with a major company, then all the better, because now they charge by moving x-number of trailers a week/month, as opposed to x-number of dollars per mile. Their drivers make $0.25-$0.75 per mile, no matter how long it takes to get from point A, to point B.
It’s all about profit margin and lobbying, and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with safety.
Fact is, it’s just as easy to get killed on a highway at 20 Mph, as it is at 100 Mph, if the vehicle or its driver aren’t safe. The difference is, 100 Mph makes the scene look that much more dramatic.
I’ve driven trucks governed at 62 Mph, and I’ve driven trucks that were “wide open”, and I’ll take the latter any day, because it actually is safer.
However, if trucks are to be governed, they should be governed at 85 Mph: this is enough to get out of the way of just about anything, and still be able to travel the speed limit in all states.
Pker says
Truckers will adapt. Instead of speeding up to avoid merging incidents slowing to a safer speed will have to be done, Sorry this is about time. This will also reduce the massive amount of noise that is generated by higher speed trucks. Everyone knows these trucks travel at speeds well above posted speeds. This will make our lives better.
James Verhaeghe says
Nobody has made the most important point why speed limiters aren’t right. HOME TIME.simple fact I do 3100 miles a week and if my truck couldn’t do 70mph I wouldn’t get home on day 5, it would be day 6 every week. Getting more time with my family is my right.
How would 4 wheelers like it if we added time to their own work week by limiting there speed limit in for instance south dakota from 80mph down to 70mph.
More home time in my opinion is priceless