TORONTO, Ont. — The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is seeking input on a controversial Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) policy that would make speed limiters mandatory on heavy-duty trucks.

The proposed rule would limit any trucks operating in Ontario to 105 km/h. Owner/operators groups are taking a stand against the policy and are making their opinions known to the MTO. Canadian O/O group the Owner-Operators’ Business Association of Canada (OBAC) has teamed up with its U.S. counterpart the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) to combat the proposal.

The two groups have posted their stances on their Web sites www.obac.ca and www.ooida.com.

“One of my main objections to it is a group of motor carriers get together and decide that they personally would like their trucks limited at a specific speed, which they certainly have every right to do on their own,” said OOIDA leader, Jim Johnston. “The problem is they want to force this down everyone else’s throat as well, so they don’t lose competitive advantage, either for available drivers, or for their ease of movement around the country.”

The public comment period began Dec. 13 and will run until Dec. 23. Drivers and owner/operators are urged to let their voice be heard by contacting the MTO’s Dwain Smith at dwain.smith@mto.gov.on.ca or by phone at 905-704-2624. Background information about the policy is available online at www.ontruck.org/speedlimiters.