According to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of truck fatalities rose 4.1 percent from 2014 to 2015 in the United States. The NHTSA reported that 2014 had the highest number of truck fatalities since 2008. Due to the increase in fatalities involving large trucks, there have been many discussions and debates about what steps the federal government should make to deal with this issue.
No matter the time of day and the state of the road, many motorists find it absolutely terrifying to see a large truck driving at a high speed in their side view mirror. These motorists are rightfully scared, as many safety experts have concluded that speed causes thousands of truck accidents and fatalities in the United States each year.
Feds propose controversial changes to limit truck fatalities
To address the issue of speed when it comes to traffic accidents, the NHTSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed the use of speed limiters for large trucks. As of now, the NHTSA and the FMCSA are accepting input for the proposal from the public. The proposal calls for the mandatory installation of speed limiters for all vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds. Electronic speed limiting devices will cap the speed of these vehicles at 60, 65, or 68 mph.
Both agencies argue that the use of the electronic speed limiters would reduce the number of truck fatalities significantly. The enforcement of mandatory speed limiters would also lead to over $1 billion in savings for fuel costs. The agencies believe that the cost of installation would be minimal because most trucks in the United States are already equipped with speed limiters. It would only be necessary to activate the speed limiters and set a speed limit.
Many groups, such as the American Trucking Associations and the Roadsafe America, have lobbied for such a rule for many years. In fact, many of these groups had grown frustrated due to the lack of progress for the proposal on Capital Hill. Undoubtedly, this proposal has pleased the vast majority of these groups.
The NHTSA and FMCSA are receiving comments for the public for the next 60 days. Afterwards, the agencies will decide the speed limit for trucks and how the regulation will be enacted and enforced.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident due to the carelessness of the trucker or the trucking company, you should speak to an attorney from Carter Craig, Attorneys at Law. Our attorneys can review the facts of the accident and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.