The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has begun consideration of a rule that would require all commercial trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds to have Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) that limit speeds to no more than 68 mph. The NHTSA is responding to the 2006 petition of the American Trucking Association and Road Safe America to launch the rulemaking, which many groups believe will curtail the frequency and intensity of traffic accidents involving commercial trucks as well as help to cut fuel consumption and costs.
Several small trucking companies, represented by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the Truckloader Carriers Association, object to the proposal, arguing that limiting the speed of large vehicles will actually make the roads less safe. OOIDA executive vice president Todd Spencer noted that "all credible highway research" points to roads being safest when traffic is traveling at the same speed. Therefore limiting the ability of large trucks to keep up with the flow of traffic when it is moving faster than 68 mph would actually create a hazard.
Officials at the NTHSA caution that the rulemaking process might not result in a new rule or mandate. During the rulemaking process the NTHSA expects to review the results of a study currently underway under the auspices of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding the efficacy and economic impact of Electronic Control Modules.
Speeding commercial trucks present obvious dangers to the nation's roads and the motorists who travel them. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Association, in 2006 police received 368,000 reports of vehicle crashes involving large trucks, 4,321 of which involved fatalities. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making the vehicle difficult to maneuver or stop suddenly - and therefore making it more difficult for a driver to avoid collisions with other vehicles. The weight of the vehicles also means that a collision with a commercial vehicle is more intense.
Collisions with commercial trucks are often devastating for those in passenger vehicles. If you have been involved in an auto accident involving a commercial truck, semi or tractor trailer, do not hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can discuss your situation and inform you of your options.
