FMCSA Proposes Mandatory Speed Limiter Rule for Heavy-Duty Trucks

FMCSA Speed Limiter Rule Proposal

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would require all commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lbs or more to be equipped with speed-limiting devices set to a maximum speed of 68 miles per hour.

Safety Rationale

FMCSA cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data showing that speed-related crashes involving large trucks resulted in 1,149 fatalities in the most recent reporting year. The agency's analysis estimates that implementing a 68 MPH speed limit would prevent approximately 162 fatalities and 5,200 injuries annually.

Technical Requirements

The proposed rule would require trucks to use the engine's ECM speed governor function to limit vehicle speed. For trucks manufactured after 2003, this capability is already built into the engine control module and can be activated through a parameter change using a diagnostic tool. For older trucks, an aftermarket speed-limiting device would need to be installed.

Industry Response

The trucking industry is divided on the proposal. Large carriers, many of which already limit truck speeds to 65-68 MPH, generally support the rule. However, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) strongly opposes the rule, arguing that speed differentials between trucks and passenger vehicles create more dangerous situations than speed itself. The public comment period remains open for 90 days.