ATA Asks for Speed Limiters On 18-Wheelers To Prevent Accidents
In October 2006, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) formally requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) require 18-wheelers and all large trucks have speed limiters installed. Maximum speed of any equipped rigs should not exceed 68 mph, according to the ATA.
“For the sake of safety, there is a need to slow down all traffic,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “The trucking industry is trying to do its part with this initiative. No vehicle should be capable of operating at excessive speeds on our nation’s highways.”
The ATA is the national trade association for the trucking industry, made up of affiliated state trucking associations, conferences and organizations representing 37,000 motor carrier members. Among other things, the ATA helps promote “safety and security” in the trucking industry.
To gain support for this initiative, the ATA also requested that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implement regulations that prohibit trucking companies or 18-wheeler drivers from adjusting and/or otherwise tamper with the speed limiter. However the ATA did not make it clear as to what penalties should be imposed, or how the law(s) would be regulated. Obviously, a key to the successful implementation of this plan would be stringent enforcement
In an ATA statement, the organization explained that its requests come in an effort to reduce the number of highway accidents involving 18-wheelers, big rigs, and other large trucks.
“The federal government’s lack of focus on speed in crashes involving large trucks represents a significant gap in its truck safety strategy,” the ATA said in a press release. “The majority of the federal truck safety budget is focused on ensuring safe equipment, driver fatigue and preventing impaired driving, which the industry supports. Research indicates, however, that speed is a more significant factor in crashes involving trucks than any other factor that currently receives a larger proportion of government attention and resources.”
In 2005, the number of 18-wheeler and other truck-related fatalities was 5,212. Although this is down slightly from 2004 (5,235 fatalities), it is up from recent years partially because of an increase in the number of trucks on the road and the number of transport miles logged.
As of October 2006, neither the NHTSA nor the FMCSA have publicly responded to the requests. However if such a measure is introduced, it will likely be years before it is made law.