Tenn. Truckers Criticize Proposal to Split Speed Limits

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proposal by a state environmental agency in Tennessee to lower truck speed limits on interstate highways in some counties met with skepticism from trucking officials and governmental leaders.

The Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board — an interagency working group — recently recommended several changes to current state law to help meet federal air quality guidelines.

Those include reducing speed limits for tractor-trailers to 55 mph from 70, banning truck idling and mandating the use of clean-diesel technology and fuel additives by companies with government contracts.

Barry Stephens, director of Tennessee’s Division of Air Pollution Control in the Department of Environment and Conservation, told Transport Topics that the speed-limit change is “no more than an option to be considered at this time. No decisions have been made.”

For the full story, see the Oct. 6 edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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