(Grain Valley, Mo., June 9, 2009) – The Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, the nation’s largest organization representing professional truckers, says the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) reworked highway agenda is neither “Progressive” nor “Safe” and will cause more accidents than it prevents.
In their plan, the ATA calls upon Congress to mandate that all Class 7 and 8 commercial trucks manufactured after 1992 have a speed limiter set so that engine speed is restricted to 65 miles per hour. OOIDA contends such a mandate is dangerous, expensive and unnecessary since research clearly shows that highways are the safest when all traffic flows at a uniform speed. Speed limiting trucks while not doing the same for cars will cause speed differentials and interactions which will lead to more accidents.
“Truck drivers need access to that power to keep up with the speed of traffic and to be able to maneuver around dangerous situations,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA Executive Vice-President. “We already have speed limits in this country, so we should instead enforce those laws more effectively.”
With their sights set on limiting competition as well as setting the stage for heavier and longer vehicles, large trucking corporations have advocated mandatory speed limiters on trucks under the guise of safety. More recently, those companies have attempted to “greenwash” the issue citing environmental benefits.
“Large trucking companies speed limit their trucks because it is one way to manage a fleet,” continued Spencer. “With an operation of 100 or more trucks, you aren’t always sure who is handling your equipment and how they are treating it. But when driving your own truck, like the majority of the trucking industry, you are perfectly aware of what you are doing and have your own incentives to drive safely and efficiently.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has nearly 160,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, Mo., area.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Speed Limiter Facts
