WASHINGTON — An Oklahoma lawmaker is taking a preemptive shot at a truck speed limiter proposed rule scheduled to be published this year, introducing a bill aimed at stopping it.
The Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act, introduced in the U.S. House on Tuesday by Republican Josh Brecheen, would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from “implementing any rule or regulation requiring vehicles over 26,000 pounds that are engaged in interstate commerce to be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed,” according to a statement from Brecheen. A draft of the bill was not yet available.
FMCSA stated in a notice of intent issued last year that the agency would be proposing that interstate commercial trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, be equipped with an electronic engine control unit capable of governing a yet-to-be-determined maximum speed. The notice generated over 15,000 comments, mostly from drivers or small carriers staunchly opposed to it.
Brecheen, a fourth-generation rancher and former trucking company owner, argues the rule would harm the agricultural sector as well as the trucking industry generally because it would include livestock trailer/truck combos and grain trucks.
“This overreach by the Biden Administration has the potential to negatively impact all facets of the agricultural and trucking industries,” Brecheen asserted.
“I know from experience driving a semi while hauling equipment, and years spent hauling livestock, that the flow of traffic set by state law is critical for safety instead of an arbitrary one-size-fits-all speed limit imposed by some bureaucrat sitting at his desk in Washington, D.C. This rule will add one more needless burden and Congress must stop it.
“For example, if a rancher is transporting cattle in a trailer across state lines, under this rule, the federal government would require a speed limiter device when above 26,000 lbs. Out-of-control bureaucrats are trying to impose ridiculous regulations on Americans who are trying to make ends meet.”
Brecheen cited a 2005 study that found that interactions among vehicles traveling 10 mph below the posted speed limit were 227% higher than among vehicles moving at traffic speed. Such interactions lead to more crashes, said Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which supports Brecheen’s bill.
“OOIDA and our 150,000 members in small business trucking across America thank Congressman Brecheen for his leadership in keeping our roadways safe for truckers and for all road users,” Spencer commented.
The bill also has the support of the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, Western States Trucking Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, United States Cattlemen’s Association, Livestock Marketing Association, and the Towing and Recovery Association of America.
The American Trucking Associations, which developed a speed-governing policy for commercial trucks in 2007, initially supported a fixed maximum speed of 65 mph for all Class 7 and 8 trucks with electronic speed governors manufactured after 1992. ATA has since revised its policy to take into account the latest safety technology, and for those types of trucks it now supports speed limiters set to a maximum of 70 mph.
In responding to Brecheen’s bill, ATA suggested that the U.S. Department of Transportation conduct a recurring five-year review of speed governing regulations to ensure they are consistent with current technologies.
“It is vital that any regulation get the details right, and the technologies are changing every year,” said ATA Executive Vice President of Advocacy Bill Sullivan. “These efforts to prohibit the development of safety policies are misguided, they will lead to more serious crashes, and this bill will never become law, even if it passes the House.”
Tom
Josh —-POTUSA
Ernest
The question is what is the benefit if not having a speed limiter? Now if there is a speed law that keeps these mammoth trucks from racing down the highway I would agree that there is no need for a limited. Through my experiences big trucks speed and are so in a hurry to get to their destination that they ignore the speed limits.
Antone Barbour
There are companies that use speed limiters or governors to keep more of the load delivery charge, from drivers. I had this happen multiple times. The last company I worked for (and others), Stewart Transport, told me my governor was set at 70 MPH. It was set to 60 – 62 MPH. My company also used an App that factored current speed limits which ranged from 70 to 80 MPH. These dynamics caused me mandatory break violations and not reaching my destinations on time. Therefore the company(s) would dock my pay and keep more load pay for themselves.
Brian Jaster
People can’t have patience now driving around big trucks, how do you think its gonna go when people can’t pass or get on/off the interstates cause I can assure you that if these limiters happen trucks will be as wide and as long more than you can imagine. We the people are sick of our government trying to control our lives. There supposed to be here to protect us,not run our lives. I’m so sick of the government wanting to fine us for this and that for working to hard while people sit on there ass and expect handouts. This country did not become what it is today on handouts, it is where it is because of hard working people. I know I may got off subject there, but when is enough enough all ready.
Jayce Kay
Governments worldwide have gone completely out of control. Until every liberal is wiped out and never elected again, insanity continues in this very sad era of war against the serfs.
Joe
A decent and safe decision would be set a speed limit of 65 mph for all vehicles. That’s fast enough, saves fuel and in road traffic the motto still applies: no reason to rush !
Tommy Hamm
For once a lawmaker who has common sense,thank you for your service.the trucking industry needs more people like you to help straighten some of the mess the beaucrats has put the trucking industry in.
Andrew
Speed limiters on trucks are 226% more likely to be involved in accidents Dr Stephen Johnson University of Arkansas