Safety ratings at risk for violators of proposed speed limiter law
Trucking group notes implications for noncompliance if bill gains traction Bill limits truck speeds to 65, 70 mph. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Drivers who violate proposed laws mandating that their trucks be equipped with devices limiting speeds to no more than 70 miles per hour could have safety rating consequences even in states that have higher speed limits, a truck safety group points out.
The latest such proposal, the Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act, was introduced in Congress on Tuesday by Reps. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., and John Katko, R-N.Y.
Text of the bill was not available, but according to the Trucking Alliance, a truck safety group that supports the bill, the legislation sets the maximum speed for all commercial motor vehicles at 65 mph, or 70 mph if the truck is equipped with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking (AEB).
OOIDA commended House Republicans for rejecting proposals to increase motor minimum liability insurance requirements in their 2021 highway bill proposal.
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Welcome to the WHAT THE TRUCK?!? newsletter. In this issue, new bill looks to raise insurance coverage by 556%, pallet shortages, Germany goes driverless and more.
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H.R. 2687 On April 20, U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García reintroduced a bill that would raise insurance requirements for motor carriers from $750,000 to $4.92 million and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is not happy about it. OOIDA took to Facebook Monday, pleading with truckers to take action against the proposed 556% increase in coverage.
The case for Garcia argues that the Insurance Act is necessary as the minimum insurance requirement has not been increased since 1980. In June of last year, when House lawmakers voted to increase insurance minimums to $2 million, proponents of the amendment argued that the current insurance liability requirement does not adequately compensate victims of accidents involving large trucks. That bill died in the Senate.
Congress floats two highway funding proposals; one ignores truck parking
With the current highway spending legislation, the FAST Act, set to expire Sept. 30, some House Republicans and a bipartisan Senate committee each released surface transportation funding proposals in the last week.
The Republicans’ plan, the Surface Transportation Advanced through Reform, Technology, & Efficient Review (STARTER) Act 2.0, would provide more than $400 billion for infrastructure over five years and prioritizes programs that address core infrastructure functions, notably highways and bridges. Republicans said it would help facilitate commerce and would focus on safety and efficiency. It was introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-Missouri) and other Republican Committee leaders.