Trucking groups cite Ontario speed limiter success in bid for U.S. mandate
Several trucking associations are voicing their support for a proposed truck speed limiter mandate in the U.S. as legislators attempt to block such rules.
They’re even using Ontario data to help make their point.
Research cited by the trucking groups includes 2018 Ontario Ministry of Transportation data that shows the number of truck drivers found at fault for speeding in a collision dropped 72.7% after that province mandated speed limiters. As well, there was no change in the share of large trucks struck from behind. The findings were limited to highways with posted 100 km/h speed limits, and researchers also noted several large fleets were already limiting speeds before the mandate was introduced.
Most trucks operating in Ontario and Quebec have had to mechanically govern speeds at 105 km/h since 2009, and similar legislation has been proposed in B.C.
Fighting the DRIVE Act
The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed its speed limiter rule in April 2022. But efforts in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are looking to derail such plans. The related Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act was introduced earlier this month in the Senate.
The Truck Safety Coalition, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Trucking Alliance, Road Safe America, and National Safety Council issued a statement that they are “steadfastly opposed” to the DRIVE Act, arguing that the legislation would keep the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from fulfilling its mission to reduce crashes.
Other groups including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Montana Trucking Association, Western State Trucking Association, and National Association of Small Trucking Companies have supported the DRIVE Act.
“About 98% of the 62,000 trucks operated by Trucking Alliance carriers already use speed limiters, because it’s safe for our drivers,” said Steve Williams, CEO of Maverick USA and president of The Trucking Alliance. “The science is clear. It takes an 80,000-pound tractor trailer rig much farther to stop when going 80 miles per hour (129 km/h) than it does at 65 or 70 miles per hour (105 or 113 km/h). Everybody needs to slow down and allowing FMCSA to pursue its rulemaking is the right thing to do.”
Deaths linked to truck crashes have increased 71% since 2009, the pro-mandate groups note, adding that speeding continues to be a contributing factor. Citing U.S. Department of Transportation data, they add that 20% of fatal truck crashes occur above 70 mph (113 km/h).
The number of fatal crashes where speeding is identified as a driver-related factor has increased 50% since 2009, according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
‘Serious safety concerns’
“Speed kills. Thousands of lives have been lost due to speeding semis, and I urge all members of Congress to reject the DRIVE Act that will enable this tragic loss of life to continue,” said Pam Biddle, a member of the Truck Safety Coalition and Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways board.
“This legislation [DRIVE Act] poses some serious safety concerns,” said National Safety Council vice-president – government affairs.
“I have used speed limiters, and it kept me at the speed limit when it would have been easy to exceed. Excessive speeding reduces the amount of time the driver has to react in a dangerous situation in order to avoid a crash, increases vehicle stopping distance, as well as reduces the ability of road safety structures, such as guardrails, impact attenuators, crash cushions, median dividers and concrete barriers, to mitigate the impact of a crash. The use of speed limiters is one way to help decrease these dangerous situations to keep all road users safer; we should encourage their use.”
“It is absurd that the United States still lags behind the majority of the civilized world in not requiring the use of built-in speed limiters in the heaviest vehicles,” added Steve Owings, co-founder of Road Safe America.
“The Trucking Alliance is wrapping their opposition to the DRIVE Act in some sort of perverse argument about safety,” counters Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). “The number of speeding tickets and crashes by their member carriers clearly show that speed limiters are not the silver bullet. If they were truly concerned, they would pay their drivers by the hour and reduce the pressure to speed in locations where it’s clearly unsafe.”
“The ATA, Trucking Alliance, and other speed-limiter supporters believe they’re better-suited to determine safe speeds for all highway users, rather than state DOTs,” added Jay Grimes, OOIDA director of federal affairs.
“Congress delegated this authority to the states nearly 30 years ago, and they have been moving away from the dangerous split speeds the mandate would create ever since.”
- This article has been updated with comments from OODIA.
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The speed limiters has been a total failure in ont
I parked at the O T A office when speed limiters came in
A number of larger trucking companies have allowed owners ops to run at higher speed when E logs came in
.Unless the U S is going to bring in hourly pay speed limiters will be a total failure like in ont and Quebec. All speed limiters did was chase out a number of experienced drivers. I have no problem with them if we pay hourly and pay overtime like other job and give us the ability to run 114 km on the foot 5 percent of the time. I have seen too many crashes in ont of a speed limier truck trying to pass a convoy truck with 2 trailers. -
Exactly right
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It was the Liberals that made the law. When MTO hooked up to the computer in the truck years ago, it was challenged and successfully won by the truck driver.
So there is no real way of catching the cheating trucks unless the OPP do their jobs as well as mobile MTO trucks.
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Well said my friend!!
Did anyone ever drive in northern Ontario and see all the crashes each day? And winter is coming.
Anyone who is for speed limiters on trucks should have to drive I-81 in both directions all day every day for a month. Also they should have to chip in to pay the deductible and funeral costs for all those who are caught up in the accidents caused by the big trucks with speed limiters that clog the the roads for miles at a time as the lighter ones try to pass the heavier ones .
There are two issues with speed limiters…the first is engine braking won’t engage when limiters are exceeded down steep grades…the second and more important, is trucks “creep up ” slowly on other speed limited trucks…the result is following too close for miles…then ten miles of side by side struggle to overtake…regulators that impose these limiters also need to enforce trucks in the right lane reduce speed to allow safety ( common sense ) .
Using data from Ontario, thats a joke. I’d say about 40% of the trucks running DONT OBEY THE 105 KMH RULE.
I get passed all the time , going as fast as 115KMH (73MPH). Be it in Ontario or the US by trucks registeted in both Ontario and Quebec. They have no way of regulating the law unless you’re caught speeding.
I’ve never been in favor of limiters as I see how cars race me often or the unlimited trucks will race you on the right when trying to move over . I’ve also had situations where the extra would’ve made a better & safer situation.
Ontario can’t even properly enforce them as they’ve admit & has been proven. If a carrier wants to limit there trucks then go with 110 or 115 kmph and leave a little room . Look how much the lawyers and insurance companies have changed companies. Driver facing cameras , speed limiters (Aka Governor’s) cameras down the sides as well . It’s sad how liabilities have taken over yet some driver’s aren’t properly trained and enforcement is minimal from what I see . I care about my industry but I can see why the older generation are getting out or staying local .
Thus is the United States of America. Not Canada or any other country. Speed limiters aren’t going to solve the problem. Just as Elogs aren’t going to solve the problem. As a truck driver; we are pushed by pick up and delivery demands as well as that ridiculous 14 hour clock. Instead of going strictly after large trucks.
Why don’t they start educating the motoring public about sharing the road with large trucks and the dangers associated with them. Let the general public know that we can’t stop like they do and just maybe they’ll stop cutting us off and taking away our stopping distance that we create for ourselves?
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If they had to pay overtime after 9 hrs of driving or 10 hours on duty and paid of the e log hourly and allow foreign drivers to switch companies and not be afraid of being deported if they report on the companies they work and not be allowed to push any drivers to work over 12 hours a day and take away fines for late delivery. Drivers would be happy to slow down just like union hourly paid drivers did 50 yrs ago
Wonder what is the position of the Canadian Truck Operators Association and their president Karan Sandhu?
Yeah but dangerous driving is up. Road rage is up and stress too. Got to look at the whole picture. I feel less safe now driving my truck in Ontario. Just look at tailgating. Trucks less then 5 feet from each other.
I want to know. How many of these accidents happen in construction zone or bad weather. Speed limiter would not stopped this.
I own my truck I volunteer set my cruise speed at 70 throttle at 75mph
My average speed Is about 67 depending on traffic.
So if big bother or mega carrier want to control my speed then I am retiring. The government has to much already in my business. For a suppose to be a deregulated industry.
It’s simple start paying driver by the hour it can easily be done now with elogs.
The roads in Ontario aren’t safer their worse. Inexperienced drivers or drivers that aren’t up to snuff. Reality if You speed through a construction zone your not a good driver, If you push yourself to drive when tired Your not a good driver, If speeding is your thing then your not a good driver, if thinking Elogs are the problem then Your the problem. I’ve coast to coast and the things I see going on here in Ontario drive me crazy. You know when the DOT should do a blitz? Anytime they want and not let everyone know when or where!
The problem with speed limiters is that the drivers will get out beside another truck for miles and miles on the 401 and similar highways and leave traffic behind them piling up and the lane hoppers create havoc. Unless you have a third lane or drivers become more responsible it is a terrible idea. Just like the lack of 4 lanes on the Trans Canada highway it is deplorable
Speed limiters don’t work !if you look in Ontario most trucks run over the 105 km and have programs on their trucks to go faster .
When the MOT plugs your truck in to check the programs let’s them see 105 km setting .
Accidents are still happening due to inexperienced drivers ,following to close and not paying attention to what’s happening around them .
You will also see they have feet jacked up in the driver’s seat and playing on their phones making for unsafe driving .
The data is totally joke, i have been driving from last 4 years in ontario Canada. These speed limiters are not safe.
If your going to limit big truck you better limit everyone cars pickups motorcycles split speed limit were bad back before all the extra distractions cars have nowadays
I have been driving commercialy for over 20 years, and spent several running Canada in recent years….one thing you notice right away is that average motorists have much more respect for their truck drivers than in the US…and that’s a big reason for why we have more accidents…I see car drivers messing w/ phones, computers and etc., and they won’t hesitate to cut off an 80,000 lb truck…having 2 younger drivers myself, they don’t emphasize enough in drivers ed about the danger of distracted driving, or of cutting off large trucks.. speed limiters will Not reduce those incidents period….oh, and most trucks today can only be maxed at 75, due to tires now being speed rated…
Underpowered trucks in the mountains and steep hills is a concern in my opinion. Truck drivers to compensate often speed downhill in an attempt not to lose speed up the next incline. I so often get behind these incredibly slow trucks on inclines and its frustrating on single lane highways. Minimum powered requirements should be in place for hilly or mountainous terrain as well as speed limiters. Companies I’ve heard often sacrifice heavier more powerful trucks for more payload as better trucks are also heavier. I wonder if this concern has even been considered!
I disagree with limiters because speed is not the only problem here, too much government control in something that they know nothing about,, not enough actual training for drivers is the number one thing that they need to start with, then they need to see where to go from there, speed limiters will make it worse because of interaction with cars, also if they put limiters on trucks they need the same on cars, and this includes all government people as well, if it is mandated I for one and I know a lot more that will quit driving, the roads are too dangerous now, let alone taking away more control from the driver. LEAVE US ALONE.
It’s funny how old the country of the United States is speed limit for trucks and cars it’s increased to 70 mph to out west where it’s 80 85 mph which is extremely reasonable and prove that considering that nothing’s out there all around your major cities or major interstate systems like 95 and 75 parts of 40 wherever those large population then maybe the speed limit should be dropped down from all vehicles but of course 70 anywhere means 90 for cars and 65 for trucks and see the differentiation and speed is cuz people simply don’t care about what they do are their actions if these people in the cars had to pay significant fines that would cut down on your accident not to $300 but $10,000 fines at the start or conversation of car title that was stuff all the crap because the idiots would lose their cars with no rights to drive you get the idiots off the road everybody else will be safe I don’t know how many people drive on the 340 million people in the United States but I would say there’s at least a hundred million idiots so if all these idiots could no longer drive whatsoever you would never have the problems that you have currently so instead of bringing them into 3.7 million truck drivers about everything and make enough Total line when we’re 96% not at fault in a car that truck accident why don’t you get smart and eat something about these idiots in these cars that’s right take a hundred million of them off the road confiscate their vehicles remember driving isn’t and not a right it is a privilege
I am NOT a trucker and this is a really bad idea…the US is not Canada and as a non-trucker in the US that drives on US Interstate 44 weekly speed restricted semi are constantly causing road congestion because there will ALWAYS be a slow vehicle in the right lane and speed restricted semi struggle and take miles to actually pass the slow moving camper, car, towing situation…add multiple speed restricted semi trying to pass typically creates a dangerous rolling roadblock for miles while the semi drivers struggle to pass with no ability to speed up beyond the governed limits at times they can only go about 63 miles per hour and the vehicle they are passing is going between 55-60 add a hill in the mix or an idiot driver that maintains the semi speed or accelerates when the semi is struggling to pass…all of this in a posted 70 mph highway. As a non-trucker I want semi trucks to be able to maintain the posted speed limits at all times…speed restricted trucks are more dangerous to trucker and those around them…the slow rolling road blocks also encourages really bad consumers reactions to recklessly get around the semi, the frustration makes stupid people do stupid things on the road, a month ago 2 semi trucks struggling on Missouri hills on 44 for ten miles driving way under the posted 70 mph speed limit forced a passing SUV onto the shoulder when he tried to pass on the right frustrated with the miles of roadblock once on the shoulder he just passed two slower semi on the right shoulder, this put the trucks and all other cars at a huge risk…it’s rarely the trucker fault or speed many times it’s the other idiots on the road that go way too slow or too fast, towing, or pickup trucks of furniture going 15-20 miles under the speed limit that encourages people to take risks in their cars with zero consideration of an 80k pound trucks ability to quickly react to their reckless actions…then add snow, fog and the worst rain and the limited visibility for all people not driving a semi when two trucks are blocking traffic for MILES in the rain way below the posted speed limits because grandma in the right lane who is scare of the rain, scared to maintain the posted speed limits or blind or all the above are forcing speed limited trucks to pass and now you want all semi limited…no only lawyers and idiots government bureaucrats that don’t drive the nations highways would think its a good idea…and fleet owners speed restricted trucks won’t stop a lawyer from filing lawsuits looking for deep pockets…limits lawsuits. If this is such a good idea then legally prohibit lawsuits against all truckers and truck carriers companies that have governed semi trucks…I bet that won’t happen, this is not safety it’s about insurance costs, not about saving lives it’s about money, lawsuits and does more harm than good…speed restricted semi it’s called a train, like self driving cars.. called a bus, taxi etc. if you don’t want to drive your car take a bus or taxi but stay off the roadways…if all semi trucks go the same maximum speed it’s a train on the Interstate…
You don’t make safer highways by running trucks faster. Who in their right mind would think that is a good idea?
I’m ok with a speed limiter as long as I can do atleast 70 mph the rates are down and fuel is back up to 5.00 a gallon I have to make a living by the way thank you Joe Biden for being a great president lol
I think we should have a Nationwide speed limit of 70 and enforce it especially on 4 wheelers they are the cause of most big truck crashes but we always get the blame thanks to our sue happy nation and money grubbing lawyers I’ve been over the road for over 20 years and the biggest issue is big companies not training drivers right and cell phones
Success what success trucks are flying down the 401 at 115 to 125 KMS no enforcement how could anyone call this successful !!!
Ontario has lots of trucking laws but no one ever enforces them.
Way to go DOUG FORD Thanks for making our roads so dangerous and oh yes your MELT program is the biggest sham out there. Can’t believe any province or state would call Ontario trucking regulations a success. The 401 is a very dangerous road
with serious multiple truck crashes daily.