Freightliners may soon be limited on how fast they can travel.
When we see a fancy sports car racing down the highway, weaving in and out of traffic, it’s tempting to wish that they had a limit on how fast their vehicle can go. While there are no speed limiters implemented in regular cars and trucks, there will soon be speed limiters in freightliners. This is not because truck drivers drive erratically. It’s quite the opposite: the lower speed implemented on these trucks is aimed at decreasing the damage inflicted in an accident and giving expert truck drivers more reaction time to gain control of the vehicle.
About the New Speed Limiter Rule
On August 26, a notice of the proposed speed limiter rule was posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The speed limiter would be built into all new trucks that weigh over 26,000 pounds and would limit a truck’s maximum speed. Several maximum speeds have been proposed, ranging from 60 mph to 68 mph. The limiter would be able to read the current speed as well as the previous two speeds through the onboard diagnostic connection. The responsibility for the upkeep of the limiter would be on the owner of the truck.
The issue of limiting the speeds of heavy trucks is not a new one. In 2006, the American Trucking Associations petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to implement speed limiters that would limit a truck’s top speed to no more than 65 mph. After reviewing data, the agencies confirmed that slower speeds would decrease the severity of crashes, and the speed limit NPRM was finally initiated in May of 2013, finally being proposed as a rule this August.
What do you think about this news?
Get In Touch With Baltimore Freightliner Western Star Today
If you’re in the trucking business or are looking to discover more about commercial truck sales, call on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. You can call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474 or email us your questions and concerns at info@baltimorefreightliner.com. Does your truck need repair, maintenance, or service? Contact our service manager, Jessica Levine, at jessica.levine@baltimorefreightliner.com.
Since 1986, Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star has provided top quality service for the trucking industry. Whether you need to purchase specialized truck parts from our expansive inventory, grow your fleet with our selection of top-tier trucks, or have your company’s trucks serviced or repaired, Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star is the best choice in trucking.
Become one of our many satisfied customers today!
Be sure to follow us on Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest from Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star.
Source: 1
Tags: DOT, Freightliner, news, speed limiter