The FMCSA's plan to propose a rule around mandating speed limiters in 2023 set off a shockwave of comments, concerns, and downright outrage, but a key detail is missing from the proposal so far: What speed?
While many owner-operators and independents pride themselves on their ability to get the job done quickly and safely at whatever speed necessary within existing limits, valuing their operational freedom to do so as well, recent polling from Overdrive sister publication CCJ indicated that a majority of fleets already use speed limiters on their trucks at some setting.
Asked to indicate the speed, responses indicated a little more than a quarter of fleets (27.5%) didn't use speed limiters, with the remaining slightly less than three-quarters of speed-limited fleets fairly evenly split between speed settings 65 or below, 66-70, or somewhere above 70 mph.
For drivers and owner-operators, concerns over speed limiter regulations rocketed the issue up to No. 5 on the list of top industry concerns compiled from the American Transportation Research Institute's 18th annual Top Industry Issues report, released Saturday. The speed-limiter issue debuted on the top 10 list of industry concerns at No. 9, underscoring the sharp reaction.
While owner-operators oppose speed limiters in large measure -- some look at highway safety data and call for greater education of or regulations for passenger traffic -- it's safe to wager most might admit being limited at 62 differs mightily from being limited at 72 or higher.
As of yet, there's no clear indication where FMCSA might draw the line.
What's somewhat clear is whether they intend to draw that line or not, given the agency's earlier year Notice of Intent to proceed with some kind of speed-limiter-use rulemaking.
