Mandatory truck speed limiters

[Ed W]

In 2009, Canada required all heavy trucks be equipped with speed limiters that permitted a maximum speed of 105kph - roughly 65mph.  In a cursory search, I didn't find any negative comments from the industry, only a complaint that the devices were sometimes damaged or reset when their data was being read at weigh stations.

I did come across a proposal to permit US trucks to adopt the heavier weight limits used in Canada, and I think it would be a good idea provided our trucks were fitted with similar speed limiters.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/trucklimits.shtml

I think this is an algebra problem.  Does it require less fuel to move a heavier truck at a lower speed, and does that equate to a lower cost to deliver the same goods?  Also, does a lower speed for trucks reduce the number of crashes?

[Red Arrow]

I think this is an algebra problem.  Does it require less fuel to move a heavier truck at a lower speed, and does that equate to a lower cost to deliver the same goods?  Also, does a lower speed for trucks reduce the number of crashes?

I don't know if it would use less fuel per truck but there is a potential to have less truckloads.  That may be enough in itself.

Lower speeds would reduce the severity of a crash.  I think the German Autobahn has a similar accident rate to our interstates.  The Autobahns do not have unlimited speedlimits regardless of conditions.  They will slow you down for busy areas.  What they don't do is put a limit on the entire highway based on the slowest safe speed anywhere on the highway.  I still wouldn't want a big rig running 125 mph down the highway.

[custosnox]

I don't know if it would use less fuel per truck but there is a potential to have less truckloads.  That may be enough in itself.

Lower speeds would reduce the severity of a crash.  I think the German Autobahn has a similar accident rate to our interstates.  The Autobahns do not have unlimited speedlimits regardless of conditions.  They will slow you down for busy areas.  What they don't do is put a limit on the entire highway based on the slowest safe speed anywhere on the highway.  I still wouldn't want a big rig running 125 mph down the highway.

The Autobans also require a European Drivers license, which takes a lot more training than here in the states. 

I'm a bit surprised that the industry hasn't spoken out more against this (at least the drivers) since limiting the speed of the trucks will lower the amount a driver can earn in a given time.  I've known drivers to avoid entire states where possible because of the lower speed limits for trucks. 

[sauerkraut]

I like the idea, I also favor  trucks to use ONLY the right two lanes on 3- lane interstates, any big rig caught in the far left lane should get a big fine and points on the CDL. I'm also in favor of a max. age limit of 65 years old for commerical truck drivers (like what the airlines have for pilots.) As we get older or ability to drive is lost. The worst accident in Oklahoma history was caused by a 76 year old driver on the I-44 Turnpike just east of Tulsa. What was a 76 year old doing driving with a CDL and  big rig Anyhow, who tested him? The weather was clear and sunny, the road was clear & open yet  the 76 year old  plowed into a line of cars killing 10 people and badly injured many others. What was that guy doing lost in a brain fog or something? It was a very grim accident. If there was a max. driving age of 65 or 70 years old those 10  people would still be alive today. That just frosts me..

[Red Arrow]

I like the idea, I also favor  trucks to use ONLY the right two lanes on 3- lane interstates, any big rig caught in the far left lane should get a big fine and points on the CDL. I'm also in favor of a max. age limit of 65 years old for commerical truck drivers (like what the airlines have for pilots.) As we get older or ability to drive is lost. The worst accident in Oklahoma history was caused by a 76 year old driver on the I-44 Turnpike just east of Tulsa. What was a 76 year old doing driving with a CDL and  big rig Anyhow, who tested him? The weather was clear and sunny, the road was clear & open yet  the 76 year old  plowed into a line of cars killing 10 people and badly injured many others. What was that guy doing lost in a brain fog or something? It was a very grim accident. If there was a max. driving age of 65 or 70 years old those 10  people would still be alive today. That just frosts me..

So no one under the age of 65 has ever caused a major accident?  You cite one (admittedly really bad accident) and immediately condemn all drivers over the arbitrary age of 65.  We've had this discussion before.  I just want to remind you that I disagree.  Did you ever see Bob Hoover fly in an airshow?

[Red Arrow]

The Autobans also require a European Drivers license, which takes a lot more training than here in the states. 

I'm a bit surprised that the industry hasn't spoken out more against this (at least the drivers) since limiting the speed of the trucks will lower the amount a driver can earn in a given time.  I've known drivers to avoid entire states where possible because of the lower speed limits for trucks. 

I could use my US/OK driver's license when I was in Germany in 1995.  I believe there was a maximum guest time allowed before you were required to get a German driver's license.  Yes, the Germans do actually require someone to know how to drive before they let them loose on any highway.

[sauerkraut]

So no one under the age of 65 has ever caused a major accident?  You cite one (admittedly really bad accident) and immediately condemn all drivers over the arbitrary age of 65.  We've had this discussion before.  I just want to remind you that I disagree.  Did you ever see Bob Hoover fly in an airshow?

Actually I do favor a max. driving age for everyone of about 70 years old. We have a mim. driving age of 16 (that should be raised to 18 IMO) and I favor a Max. driving age. We don't let 10 year old kids drive for a reason even if they can pass a drivers test, the same should go for the upper end, as we age driving ability is lost, I don't drive as good as I did when I was 30  years old, no one does it's part of being human we lose our abilities to drive as we age. The DMV does not even test for medical problems or old age related diseases like  Dememtia. Notice just aboiut every time a car crashes into a building it's some 70 year old who mixed up the gas/brake pedal. If most people are honest they know deep inside that no 80 or 90 year old person can drive safe or handle a vehicle in a emergency. If I was King I'd make the driving age from age 18 to age 70 and at your 70th birthday

you hang up your keys. Sure younger people cause bad accidents even if they are not drunk, but as we age our ability to drive is slowly lost, I feel that 76 year old truck driver accident  on I-44 would not of happend if that driver was younger, I firmly believe that was clearly an  age-related accident.  10 people died.. JMO.

[custosnox]

Actually I do favor a max. driving age for everyone of about 70 years old. We have a mim. driving age of 16 (that should be raised to 18 IMO) and I favor a Max. driving age. We don't let 10 year old kids drive for a reason even if the can pass a drivers test, the same should go for the upper end, as we age driving ability is lost, I don't drive as good as I did when I was 30  years old, no one does it's part of being human we lose our abilities to drive as we age. The DMV does not even test for medical problems or old age related diseases like  Dememtia. Notice just aboiut every time a car crashes into a building it's some 70 year old who mixed up the gas/brake pedal. If most people are honest they know deep inside that no 80 or 90 year old person can drive safe or handle a vehicle in a emergency. If I was King I'd make the driving age from age 18 to age 70 and at your 70th birthday

you hang up your keys. Sure younger people cause bad accidents even if they are not drunk, but as we age our ability to drive is slowly lost, I feel that 76 year old truck driver accident  on I-44 would not of happend if that driver was younger, I firmly believe that was clearly an  age-related accident.  10 people died.. JMO.

and yet I'm sure my 80 year old grandmother could out drive you any day of the week.  Age and ability to drive are not as related as you try to make thme out to be.  Personally I think we should be retested on a semi-regular basis from the time we get our license until we give them up.

[HazMatCFO]

As someone who helped run a company with long haul drivers, I considered speed limiters on the big rigs for it saved gas and payroll since drivers were paid by the mile and thus couldn't drive as many miles in a given period of time. It would be a double savings. 

The drivers didn't like it though for the less pay and they claimed a safety issue that not being able to go faster than the speed I proposed (70) limited their options in certain driving conditions. Having the ability to speed up a bit when needed is helpful. 

I didn't have the limiters installed and kept monitoring their mileage logs during payroll and ran calculations on my HP12c to see what their average speed was. If average speed for a week's worth of driving was over 75, I called the driver and asked why. Either they were cheating on their logs or did drive that fast and I gave a warning. 

[heironymouspasparagus]

Drove for a couple of companies with limiters; 63 and 68.  And one that kept you to 63 unless mpg was about 6.3, then could go up to 68.  I stayed at 68 except in mountains.

A much bigger problem than high speed trucks is the difference in speed between truck traffic and auto traffic.  The differential is extremely dangerous.  Illinois used to be REAL bad about that.  Stupid.

Higher weight limits??  Ridden any Oklahoma road lately??

And while we are at it, allowing 3 trailers (Federal rule) is the height of insanity.  But then, since the truck industry owns FMCSA....
(federal regulators - regulating the way the companies want since 1492 - who would have guessed...)

[sauerkraut]

I always like the split speed limits, but truckers hated them. I think Illinois still has them. They work great for car drivers -if it's enforced on trucks. All trucks right lane only 55 mph, that makes it easy for cars to pass the trucks in the left lane plus no truck can go in the left lane to pass another truck going 53mph. The key is enforcement. Today the split speed limits are just about gone in many states now. Ohio got rid of theirs a few years ago.

[nathanm]

Split speed limits are stupid. Speed differentials are what kill people, and trucks do indeed pass each other even when they have a low speed limit. I've driven quite a few freeways in quite a few states with split limits and have yet to see one that has lane restrictions for trucks on roads with only two lanes in a given direction, aside from a few minor exceptions for short distances.

I'm sure someone will point out a place where such a restriction does exist on a less than three lane roadway.

[heironymouspasparagus]

It's sauerkraut....

Differential is bad.  Lot's of investigation by state DOT's lead them to change.  Illinois is equal now.

[Conan71]

Yep, far better for everyone to have their nose buried in their smart phone at the same speed rather than two different classes of speed. 

[Red Arrow]

Yep, far better for everyone to have their nose buried in their smart phone at the same speed rather than two different classes of speed. 

That only works if they remember to engage the cruise control.  Otherwise speed varies with attention to the road.