The American Trucking Associations has petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to limit the maximum speed of large trucks at the time of manufacture to no more than 68 miles per hour.
In a complementary move, ATA also petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to prohibit the tampering or adjustment of the speed limiting devices, known as speed limiters (or governors), to greater than 68 miles per hour.
This action is aimed at reducing the number and severity of speed-related crashes among all vehicles on United States highways. It is part of a trucking industry highway safety initiative that has produced a record low crash rate. Other ATA safety initiatives include a call for universal primary safety belt laws in the 50 states and greater enforcement of traffic laws against unsafe driving actions around large trucks.
Most of the federal truck safety budget is focused on ensuring safe equipment, preventing driver fatigue, and preventing impaired driving, which ATA supports. Research indicates, however, that speed is a more significant factor in crashes involving trucks than any other factor that now receives the largest portion of government attention and resources.
