The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has received backlash from trucking groups over a proposed 68 mph speed limiter mandate—a number now rescinded from government documents as the agency states it will continue to ascertain what speed limit would be safest for America’s roadways.
The original report published Monday, which has been taken offline, initially stated the regulation would cap heavy truck speeds at 68 mph. However, FMCSA has since amended the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking, stating in the Department of Transportation’s September 2023 Significant Rulemaking Report. that the speed will be determined at the time of rulemaking, which is planned for publication on Dec. 29.
The report follows an FMCSA notice of intent from April 2023 on its commitment to follow up on a 2016 notice of proposed rulemaking proposing that governing devices be installed in Class 7-8 commercial motor vehicles.
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Speed limiters are a contentious topic among trucking groups, with some saying the safety devices are more likely to cause accidents than prevent them.
“Forcing trucks to speeds below the flow of traffic increases interactions between vehicles and leads to more crashes. It’ll be like an obstacle course for passenger vehicle drivers on our highways. This isn’t safe for truckers, but especially not safe for passenger vehicle drivers sharing the road with trucks. The unintended consequences of this misguided regulation will cost innocent lives,” said Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer.
