Speed Limiter Legislation Reintroduced

Senators Johnny Isakson, (R-GA) and Chris Coons (D-DE) recently reintroduced legislation to codify a pending “speed limiter” rule.

The “Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019,” S.2033, would require all new commercial trucks with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more to be equipped with speed-limiting devices, which must be set to a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour and be used at all times while in operation. The maximum speed requirement would also be extended to existing trucks that already have the technology installed. Trucks without speed limiters will not be forced to retroactively install the technology.

The legislation would also establish that all large trucks manufactured after the effective date be equipped with speed-limiting technology. Further, within six months of enactment, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation must establish standards and rules to ensure that the speed-limiting technology on large trucks is accurate and that the trucks adhere to a maximum speed no faster than 65 mph.

According to the Department of Transportation, the “speed-limiter rule” would have minimal cost, as most heavy trucks already have these devices installed, although some vehicles do not have the 65-mph limit set.

The American Trucking Associations has said that it “supports speed limiters and a uniform national speed limit for all vehicles, not just commercial trucks, of 65 mph. However, federal speed limiter efforts must, at a minimum, account for speed differentials and any potential safety risks that they can create.”

OOIDA has indicated in the past that “there is no clear evidence that supports the use of speed limiters will improve safety. In fact, there is data that states that high-speed related truck crashes are rare events and the reduction of speed and power can have negative effects on safety."

PMAA is currently reviewing the legislation and will ask PMAA’s operational committees for input.