FMCSA issues ‘Notice of Intent’ to require speed limiters on heavy trucks

From Transport Topics.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on April 27 issued a notice of intent to move forward with a rulemaking to require the use of speed limiters for commercial motor vehicles.

The notice, which does not specify a specific speed, will follow up on a Sept. 7, 2016, joint proposal by FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The notice of intent provides a series of questions to gather information and data to assist FMCSA in drafting a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,” the notice said. “The supplemental rule would propose requiring interstate motor carriers that currently operate CMVs with electronic engine control units to set a maximum speed to be determined through the rulemaking process. After reviewing the public comments to the notice of intent, the future SNPRM will present the proposed regulatory text, estimated costs and safety benefits of using speed limiters.”

Officials said the speed limiter rule would offer significant safety benefits.

“The National Roadway Safety Strategy identified speed as a major factor in fatal crashes, and speed management as a primary tool to reduce serious injuries and fatalities,” the notice said. “FMCSA envisions the rule as a commonsense approach to reducing crashes and saving lives as the agency continues to work with drivers and advocates for the CMV community towards a goal of zero lives lost on our nation’s roadways.”

“FMCSA is moving forward with this rulemaking because of concerns about the number of CMV crashes and fatalities traveling at high speeds. In 2019 alone, there were nearly 900 fatal crashes in areas with posted speed limits over 70 miles per hour.”

Public responses will be accepted for 30 days once the Notice of Intent is published in the Federal Register, the notice said.

See the complete article online at Transport Topics.