New Bill Introduced Would Force Commercial Trucks to Be Speed-Limited

Representatives from Georgia and New York have introduced a bill that would require speed limiters on heavy trucks. TruckingInfo.com reports.

The bill is called the Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act. Its namesake was an Atlanta resident killed in a car-truck collision in 2002. Adding speed limiters to trucks has been a long-standing fight for trucking safety advocates. 

The bill is sponsored by Georgia Democrat Lucy McBath and New York Republican John Katko. Similar bills have been floated in the past, including by former Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson. Supporters of the law say that lowering the maximum speed of trucks will limit the severity of large truck crashes and keep all drivers safer.

However, not all drivers see it that way. Opponents of speed limiters say that adding them will create a “speed differential” between cars and commercial trucks and create an unsafe environment, especially on two-lane roads where a truck might not be able to reach passing speeds.

One thing is certain. Getting in a crash of any kind with a big rig is extremely unsafe. The force of any crash is higher because of the weight of these vehicles. Excessive speed multiplies the forces, just like with cars. However, it’s an open question on whether a speed cap would just create different dangers.

If you are facing the consequences of a trucking accident, contact John Foy & Associates for a free consultation.