NHTSA to Propose Truck Speed Limiters
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it will propose requiring speed limiters on heavy trucks at 68 mph after trucking groups asked for the regulation.
NHTSA said Monday that it would grant petitions from American Trucking Associations and Road Safe America to require manufacturers to install devices that would limit heavy truck speeds to 68 mph.
“[NHTSA] believes that these petitions merit further consideration through the agency’s rulemaking process,” it said in a Federal Register notice Monday.
The agency will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking, which begins the process of issuing a regulation, in 2012, it said.
ATA and RSA petitioned NHTSA in 2006 to require all trucks over 26,000 pounds to have speed limiters that prevent them from exceeding 68 mph.
RSA was joined by nine motor carriers in its petition. RSA is dedicated to supporting a speed limiter rule.
The groups argued that limiters would reduce speed-related crashes involving trucks.
Click here to view the Jan. 3 Federal Register notice on speed limiters (HTML) or click here for a PDF version.
