Slow down! Government aims to restrict highway speeds of trucks

WASHINGTON — Tractor-trailers could soon be forced to slow down on highways nationwide.

Many major companies have already added speed governors to their trucks, but the Department of Transportation has been working on a new rule requiring the devices for three years.

The Senate recently approved an amendment that would put a deadline on that rule, and require speed-limiting devices to keep trucks from traveling more than 65 miles per hour.

"It keeps them under the speed limit, which is most times 70," said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia. "But it is far more safe for the people on the highways with them."

Isakson was inspired to introduce the amendment after a horrific 2015 tractor-trailer crash on a Georgia highway killed five young nursing students.

The American Trucking Association, the largest industry group, said it supports adding speed-limiting devices to trucks.

But critics of speed limiters, including some truck drivers, say the rule would turn trucks into "rolling roadblocks."

"Creating situations where drivers can't speed up simply runs counter to safety," said Todd Spencer with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

The Department of Transportation said the speed limiter proposed rule is currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget and will be issued when the review is completed.

Cox Media Group