Truck Groups Clash on Speed Limits

The American Trucking Associations renewed its call on Congress to mandate a 65 mph speed limit and require trucks to install electronic speed governors to insure they comply. The move was quickly denounced by independent truckers as a ploy to limit competition.

In addition, says the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, using speed limiting devices in trucks and not requiring the same for cars will cause speed differentials that will lead to more accidents.

“Truck drivers need access to that power to keep up with the speed of traffic and to be able to maneuver around dangerous situations,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer. “We already have speed limits in this country, so we should instead enforce those laws more effectively.”

“We don’t really understand their reasoning,” said ATA spokesman Clayton Boyce. “They talk about being able to speed in order to avoid dangerous situations, but these trucks aren’t sports cars, they’re 18 wheelers. You can’t accelerate your way out of trouble with a vehicle like that.”

ATA’s call for more speed regulation was part of an 18-point safety agenda rolled out June 11 on Capitol Hill that coincided with its annual summer congressional lobbying effort that included executives from trucking companies U.S. Express, Con-way, and FedEx Freight. Those points include policies affecting driver performance, vehicles and trucking companies.

Several points on the agenda, including mandating speed governors and establishing a national clearinghouse for commercial driver drug and alcohol test results, are already included in pending legislation.

Contact John Gallagher at jgallagher@joc.com.