The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) oversees and regulates the commercial trucking industry in the U.S. This official body’s rules cover all the aspects of driving a truck on American roads, including hours of service limits, maintenance, driver licensing, and alcohol and drug testing.
Unsurprisingly, the FMCSA reviews and changes some of its regulations yearly. It does this to keep truck drivers and other road users safe.
The expected changes in the coming months include a new knowledge entrant exam and oral fluid testing. The FMCSA also wants to expand its crash preventability determination program and mandate the installation of speed-limiting devices in specific commercial trucks.
Therefore, speed limiters will prevent truck drivers from speeding in trucks over 26,000 pounds. However, there is already a debate within the trucking sector about whether speed limiters will make a difference.
Some trucking companies believe that these devices will reduce their profits because truck drivers will take longer to reach their destinations.
America’s Speeding Problem
There is a good reason for the FMCSA lobbying for truck speed limiters. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) produces concerning accident statistics yearly. In 2022 alone, more than 5,800 commercial trucks were involved in fatal crashes, which caused nearly 6,000 deaths.
Most of the deaths were of occupants in the other vehicles involved in the truck crashes. Speed also contributed to more than 11% of these accidents.
In addition to causing such a high number of deaths, truck crashes also inflict considerably more damage than car accidents. Common injuries during a truck crash include brain damage, spinal injuries, and amputations.
When a truck driver drives too fast, it takes them longer to bring the truck to a stop. So, when they suddenly encounter a road hazard or stalled traffic, their ability to react and brake diminishes with increased speed.
This often leads to rear-end collisions and underride crashes, which tend to be horrific. Speeding trucks can also lead to rollover accidents.
Moreover, trucks that go too fast are dangerous to other drivers who try to pass them or misjudge their stopping distance.
Why Speed Limiters Are a Good Idea
Speed limiters for trucks offer a safety advantage because they prevent trucks from exceeding a pre-set speed limit. The FMCSA has estimated that trucks that already have a semi-truck speed limiter have a 50% lower crash rate than those that do not have these devices.
Speed limiters read a truck’s speed using sensors. If they detect that the speed exceeds the pre-set limit, a signal is sent to reduce the air and fuel pumped into the engine. This immediately reduces the engine’s power output, slowing down the truck.
This instantly reduces the risk of speeding accidents and can impact the severity of injuries if an accident does happen.
It is also believed that speed limiters can help truck drivers adopt safer driving habits and reduce reckless driving.
There is also an upside for trucking companies, considering that lower speeds mean less fuel consumption. This translates to lower fuel costs and a reduced environmental impact.
Why Some Trucking Companies Are Not on Board
However, not all trucking companies are happy with the proposed mandatory speed limiters. Because truckers are pressured to meet tight deadlines, many companies believe speed limiters will delay deliveries. This will have a roll-on effect on other businesses and consumers.
On the other hand, some truck drivers believe that speed limiters take away their control and ability to react to certain road conditions. They argue that an experienced driver must be able to adjust their speed based on specific situations or hazards.
Moreover, trucking companies would have to spend extra money to install speed limiters in all their vehicles. They would also need a budget for future maintenance.
The Potential Road Ahead
Despite these objections, the rollout of speed limiters seems inevitable, even if the implementation of the rule has again been delayed to 2025. However, there may be room to apply for exemptions or some flexibility regarding specific road conditions or emergencies.
Furthermore, a gradual rollout, instead of an abrupt change, could make it easier for drivers and their employers to adjust.
Speed limiter technology will likely improve eventually, to the point where it can incorporate features that allow for brief speed adjustments when needed. It has not been confirmed whether speed limiters will come with a financial incentive, but this could also speed up the adoption of the speed-limiting process.
Ultimately, the goal is to make American roads safer for all who use them. If speed limiters can help achieve this goal, the technology should be given a fair chance.
