Anthony Foxx Says Speed-Limiter Rule Should Be Out by April 22
Foxx was responding to questioning from subcommittee chairwoman Susan Collins (R-Maine), who noted that he had promised at last year’s hearing to have the proposal out no later than the fall of 2015.
“This is a rule that will help to reduce highway fatalities,” Collins said. “It has the support of the trucking industry. It has the support of various safety advocates. Why has there been a delay in this rulemaking?”
Foxx cited the agencies’ need to work with the Office of Management and Budget on the rule and said, “Based on our current estimates, we expect the rule to be completed by April 22.”
The speed-limiter rule is meant to decrease fatal crashes on roadways. Earlier this month, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) urged FMCSA acting Administrator Scott Darling to proceed with the proposal.
Foxx defended the Obama Administration’s requested $98 billion increase in transportation funding that left Collins “simply perplexed” since it came so soon after Congress approved and the president signed the FAST Act on Dec. 18, 2015.
“While the FAST Act helps, we are still playing catch-up,” Foxx said. “[The nation] will have 70 million more people by 2045, [with] freight volumes increasing by 45% [and] 65% more trucks on the road. We seek to build upon the FAST Act with an even more robust 21st century-focused plan to win the future … To support advancements in safety, repairing and replacing infrastructure, and driving forward innovation in emerging technologies that can help us move faster, more efficiently and safer.”
