FMCSA To Propose 68 MPH Limit For Trucks

Proposal for trucks to be limited to 68

Better than the rumored 55 or 60 mph they floated last year. But I'm afraid they will start at 68 and slowly lower it over the years, until it reaches 55 mph.

California already does 55 statewide. Tennessee has segments at 55.

California is the incubator for a lot of regulatory stuff.

I’m old enough to remember the days of 55 mph for all vehicles on interstates back in the 70’s OPEC embargo era.

It would make more sense to me to mandate speed limiters on cars and light trucks to keep them at or below 68 mph. Some days they are buzzing around me like angry hornets.

Exactly, BK, since semi v.s. car accidents are more caused by the auto drivers, NOT the truck driver! Did a little checking on the stats......Yes Dennis lol that was the original reason, but then they said "Oh it's for highway safety" typical governmental BS

That NHTSA notes that this data indicates there are on average 99 fatalities every day from a car accident. There are 7,507 people injured in the United States in car accidents every day. That number is high. America experiences more car accident fatalities and injuries than any other first-world country.

NHTSA conducted its own study and found the percentage of car-caused truck accidents to be closer to 90%. If we assume a margin of error for each study and round to the average, then it is probably safe to say that 85% of all truck accidents are primarily caused by a negligent motorist, not the truck driver behind the wheel of the big rig.

The NHTSA reports that while trucks account for only 4% of all registered vehicles, they are involved in about 9% of all fatal crashes.

Haha. True. Me too. I used to make a trek from Raleigh, NC to Erie, Pa in my personal vehicle at 55 MPH for 13 hours. Lol.

Odd, the vast majority of truck drivers on the road seemed much friendlier and courteous back then. 🤔

I’m old enough to remember the days of 55 mph for all vehicles on interstates back in the 70’s OPEC embargo era.

Solid points. I have seen the same stats and discuss this with many people. Non commercials are initiating most of the contact.

A major factor in these accidents, fatal or not, is speed. Whether it's the 4 wheeler or not, our big heavy trucks are going to cause more damage and are more likely to be involved in a fatal because of it.

55, 60, 65? Meh. Either way, I'll follow the rules.

Exactly, BK, since semi v.s. car accidents are more caused by the auto drivers, NOT the truck driver! Did a little checking on the stats......Yes Dennis lol that was the original reason, but then they said "Oh it's for highway safety" typical governmental BS

That NHTSA notes that this data indicates there are on average 99 fatalities every day from a car accident. There are 7,507 people injured in the United States in car accidents every day. That number is high. America experiences more car accident fatalities and injuries than any other first-world country.

NHTSA conducted its own study and found the percentage of car-caused truck accidents to be closer to 90%. If we assume a margin of error for each study and round to the average, then it is probably safe to say that 85% of all truck accidents are primarily caused by a negligent motorist, not the truck driver behind the wheel of the big rig.

The NHTSA reports that while trucks account for only 4% of all registered vehicles, they are involved in about 9% of all fatal crashes.

FMCSA has pulled it down for now. They were told months ago why this is illegal for them to do in this fashion and lawsuits will follow if they continue. FMCSA has not said why they pulled it, only that they need to do more work and they expect to post it again before Dec 29,2023.

I went looking for source documents and found some interesting things. Yes, the proposal is to limit/govern truck speeds to 68 MPH. This will be a mandatory and "inspectable" control on new trucks. But the FMCSA didn't have a meeting and decide "Let's make trucks go slower!" The idea actually came from the American Trucking Association in 2016. Check this part of the ATA petition out:

A lack of focus on speed as a causal or significant contributing factor in crashes involving large trucks represents a significant gap in the federal government's truck safety strategy. While much of the federal truck safety budget has focused on ensuring the safe condition of equipment, on driver fatigue, and on prevention of impaired driving , it is clear from the research that speeding is a more significant factor in crashes involving trucks than any of the factors that currently receive the largest proportion of agency attention and resources.

You can read for yourself here: (FMCSA) Speed Limiting Devices

And read and submit your own comments here: Regulations.gov

As for when and which model year trucks, the claim ("2003 and newer") in the first notice, they say it was inaccurate. The usual grinding of bureaucratic gears needs go continue for a while to get it all ironed out. No federal agency would announce something that could be called "illegal" right out of the gate.

The main argument I frequently see for limiting trucks is how traffic would be impacted. Parts of Canada has had trucks governed to 65 mph for quite a few years. Anyone here go to Canada enough to know how traffic flows with everyone doing 65?