Federal government halts push for mandatory speed restriction devices on large commercial trucks
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has decided to withdraw a decades-old rulemaking that aimed to require speed limiters on heavy vehicles. The aim was to reduce deadly crashes involving speeding heavy vehicles by leveraging existing technology to cap maximum speeds.
The withdrawal of the speed limiter rulemaking has been met with criticism from safety advocates, including the National Safety Council (NSC), a 110-year-old nonprofit dedicated to eliminating preventable deaths and injuries. Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of the NSC, stated that abandoning speed limiter rules now could have deadly consequences in the years to come.
According to safety advocates, the trend of fatalities involving large commercial vehicles is on the rise. In 2023, 5,375 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, reflecting an 8.4% decrease from 2022 but a 43% increase compared to a decade ago. Speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic deaths in 2023, claiming the lives of 11,775 people.
Critics argue that USDOT's reversal undermines public safety, particularly for highway users who share the road with heavy trucks. The NSC emphasized that the science is clear and the technology is already available for speed limiters.
With the withdrawal, there will be no federal mandate requiring speed limiters on trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds. Instead, fleets may choose to implement speed limiters voluntarily for safety and fuel economy benefits.
The potential consequences of this decision include a delayed or dependent safety impact, economic effects, legal issues, and changes in the industry and regulatory climate. The DOT cited insufficient data to conclusively show that mandated speed limiters would significantly improve safety. They also highlighted potential high compliance costs and the possibility of conflicting with state speed limit laws.
Lorraine Martin urged USDOT to reconsider its decision, stating that it will cost lives. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the withdrawal of the proposed rulemaking. The decision to withdraw the speed limiter rulemaking was made despite government studies showing that speed limiters work effectively.
References: 1. USDOT Announces Withdrawal of Speed Limiter Rulemaking 2. USDOT Withdraws Speed Limiter Rule for Heavy Vehicles 3. Speed Limiter Rule for Heavy Vehicles Withdrawn by USDOT 4. Speed Limiter Rule: What Does USDOT's Withdrawal Mean for Safety?
The withdrawal of the speed limiter rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), has been criticized by safety advocates as potentially leading to an increase in fatalities involving large commercial vehicles, given the 43% rise in such incidents over the past decade. This decision, despite government studies showing speed limiters work effectively, could have severe consequences for general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, as well as the finance industry, due to potential economic losses and legal issues stemming from preventable accidents. The business sector may also experience shifts as a result of changes in the industry and regulatory climate, with the absence of a federal mandate requiring speed limiters on heavy vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds, leaving the implementation of such technology to voluntary fleet decisions for safety and fuel economy benefits.
