Canada Studies Engine Governors

Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments are jointly studying the idea of requiring speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks, the Associated Press reported. The governors would prevent the truck from exceeding about 65 mph.

One study to be launched this fall will look at whether a speed-limiter regulation would put Canada at an economic disadvantage relative to the United States, said Brian Orrbine, head of the motor carriers division of Transport Canada, AP reported.

Ontario already has promised to make speed limiters mandatory, although with a provincial election this fall, it is unclear how quickly it will move to mandate the devices. In Quebec, an all-party legislative committee has endorsed the idea, AP said.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance has pushed for mandated speed limiters, saying the average tractor-trailer could save about US$7,575 in fuel each year by traveling at the lower speed. The group also said slower trucks have more chances to avoid accidents, AP reported.

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