Proposed legislation could mandate speed-limiting technology in commercial trucks

Technological advancements in recent years have made commercial trucks safer to drive and safer for those who share the road with them. Among these are speed limiters. This built-in technology caps the speed that a truck can travel.

Since speeding is the most common driver-related factor in crashes involving both commercial and passengers, speed-limiting technology can go a long way toward minimizing crashes and the severity of those that occur.

Now a bill that would mandate this technology in all commercial vehicles is under consideration in Congress. The Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act was introduced this spring by two members of the House of Representatives.

A father’ mission may bring major changes

The legislation is named for a college student who was killed in 2002 as he was driving back to school. His car was hit by a tractor-trailer that was going too fast to stop when traffic slowed on the interstate. After his son’s death, his father made it his mission to advocate for more stringent safety laws for commercial trucks.

The bill would require the FMCSA to require that:

• All new commercial vehicles have speed limiters
• Any post-1992 vehicles with technology already installed use it
• The maximum safe speed of commercial vehicles not exceed 65 miles per hour (70 mph when the vehicles have specific safety features)

The goal, naturally, is to make the roads safer for all.

Speed is just one danger posed by commercial trucks

Commercial trucks inherently pose a danger on the roads because of their sheer size, weight and sometimes toxic contents. When a driver is sleepy, distracted, impaired, speeding or just plain reckless or negligent, the results can be catastrophic. The same is true if a truck has not been maintained or loaded properly.

If you or a loved one has been injured or worse in a crash caused by a commercial truck, it’s imperative to find out what individuals and/or entities bear the responsibility. Then you can seek the compensation you and your family need.