Here we go again. The term “Hammer down” will soon become more like “Rubber Mallet Squish” if the FMCSA Speed Limiter Rule is approved and implemented. The Bandit and Snowman must be rolling over in their graves. No one will be eastbound and down anymore. The proposed legislation is aimed at improving safety on the roads by requiring large commercial motor vehicles (CMV’s) to use speed limiting devices. The key points of this diabolical law would be:
- Speed Limiter Requirement: The rule mandates that all newly manufactured trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds be equipped with electronic engine control units (ECUs) that limit the maximum speed of the vehicle.
- Proposed Speed Limits: The FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have considered various maximum speed settings for these devices, including 60, 65, and 68 miles per hour (mph). The final decision on the exact speed limit has been a subject of debate and is expected to be determined through the rulemaking process.
- Benefits: The rule aims to reduce the number and severity of crashes involving large CMVs, improve fuel economy, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
- Compliance and Enforcement: The rule would require motor carriers to maintain the speed limiting devices at the set speed and ensure they are functional at all times. Non-compliance could result in penalties.
- Existing Vehicles: While the rule primarily targets newly manufactured vehicles, there has been discussion about extending the requirement to older vehicles equipped with ECUs that can be retrofitted with speed limiting technology.
The proposal was originally scheduled to go into effect in mid-2023 but has been postponed three times. The current date for implementation if approved is May of 2025. A date if implemented that will live in trucker infamy.
Full disclosure, while we don’t endorse speeding, Truckamuck does not approve of this rule. Trucking is over-regulated already. To pirate a phrase used in a different context, “My Truck, My Choice”. The government is already trying to force EV’s on us, more ELD changes on us, braking systems on us, and now speed governors on us. All these regulations come with a cost to the trucker who is already operating on a thinner and thinner margin. Consider the following unintended consequences of limiting speed in trucks:
Increased Traffic Congestion:
- Speed Disparities: Trucks traveling significantly slower than other vehicles will create speed differentials on highways, potentially leading to congestion and increased risk of accidents as other vehicles maneuver around them.
- Passing Issues: Cars and other trucks will experience difficulties when passing speed-limited trucks, which could lead to risky driving behaviors.
Economic Impact:
- Delivery Times: Reduced speeds can extend delivery times, which may impact logistics and the supply chain, particularly for time-sensitive goods.
- Operational Costs: Although fuel savings are possible, the increased travel time can lead to higher labor costs and potentially reduced overall productivity.
Driver Dissatisfaction:
- Morale and Recruitment: Most truck drivers may find speed limiters frustrating, potentially affecting morale and making it more challenging for companies to recruit and retain drivers.
- Driver Fatigue: Longer travel times will lead to increased driver fatigue, as drivers spend more hours on the road to cover the same distances.
Technological and Implementation Costs:
- Initial Costs: Installing and calibrating speed limiters on existing trucks will involve significant upfront costs.
- Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the speed limiting devices will add to operational expenses.
President Ronald Reagan de-regulated trucking in 1980. That act opened up a plethora of opportunities for new people and businesses to enter the industry. He took power from the government and gave it to the free-market to decide winners based on the merits of their individual businesses. Since then we have slowly re-regulated trucking one small bite at a time. Every administration since then has added their own tweak labeled “In the public interest”. The current administration has added jet fuel to the problem by never seeing a regulation it didn’t love. The more the government regulates, the more control and power they possess. Hopefully, a change in our leadership this fall will give us a fighting chance to turn this trend around.
When it comes to regulations, less is always more for truckers. If you want to learn more about this you can access the discussion by going to regulations.gov, and then type in Speed Limiter Rule. Please take the time to make your thoughts known to them while there.
What’s your opinion?
#Speedlimiter #truckamuck
Another solution for a non existent problem. All trucks equipped with an ECU already have the capability to be speed limited, and most fleets already are speed limited. Just another case of regulation happy government trying to bend us over with still another useless regulation.
This is more tyrannical behavior to add to what is already In place. By limiting truck speed you will be add hours to delivery times. Not to mention the danger of cars running into the backs of truck Goin down the hiway at 10 to 15 mph slower than cars. Something else to think about is when all the trucks are limited to the same speed the hills will be even more congested. Limiting speed means your limiting power to the ability to climb and this is a danger . This kind of action is just one more action by burocrats and pencil pushers that obviously never had to drive trucks. Something else about limiting throttle and speed is it is more dangerous than having an ungovernable vehicle. Those of us that have trucks that are uncovered don’t always speed now cause it’s very expensive to get a speeding ticket. What I really don’t understand is what makes you all think this is even fair to the trucking industry. We are already limited by so many regulations as it is . Safety regulations aren’t always safe.
Spot on Ken!