Speed Limiter Proposal Expected in Late August

The Department of Transportation (DOT) expects to issue a proposal to mandate speed limiters on heavy trucks on Aug. 26, the agency reported in its August Significant Rulemaking Report. The Office of Management and Budget cleared the proposal Aug. 12, marking the last step in the regulatory process before a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is issued.
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The Department of Transportation (DOT) expects to issue a proposal to mandate speed limiters on heavy trucks later this month, the agency reported in its August Significant Rulemaking Report.

The Office of Management and Budget cleared the proposal Aug. 12, marking the last step in the regulatory process before a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is issued.  

DOT set Aug. 26 as a projected publication date for what will be a joint proposed rule between the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the proposal may be published at any time at the discretion of the agency.

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Roadsafe America petitioned DOT in March 2014 to implement a 65 mph speed limit on trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds. The Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) opposes a federal mandate on speed limiters arguing that speed differentials between cars and commercial trucks create significant safety hazards.  

NHTSA said it received thousands of comments supporting the request.

The agency expects a speed limiter rule will decrease the estimated 1,115 fatal crashes annually involving vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds as well as reduce fuel consumption.

The NPRM will likely have a 60 to 90-day comment period during which industry stakeholders and the public can submit comments. 

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