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Home/News/TCA announces support for speed limiter legislationNewsTCA announces support for speed limiter legislationFreightWaves Staff·Thursday, July 11, 2019exc-5d2778940135050001f778f4 The

Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) announced its support of S. 2033, The Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019. The bill would require new trucks weighing over 26,000

pounds to be equipped with speed limiters set at a maximum speed of 65 mph. Existing trucks already equipped with the technology would be required to set the devices at 65 mph as well.

Since 2012, TCA has advocated for the speed of all electronically governed class 7 and 8 trucks manufactured after 1992 to be limited at a maximum speed not to exceed 65 mph. They have long

been industry leaders, continually seeking to improve upon an already tremendous safety record.

As an association, which represents roughly 78 percent of freight market share by revenue, it is fair to say that any rule regarding speed limiters will have the greatest effect on our

segment of the trucking industry. TCA’s members spoke with a unified voice when developing our policy in support of speed limiters, and today they are using this focus to lend support to a

bill that they feel could make significant safety strides for all motorists on the nation’s roadways.

Learn more today

TCA, and its truckload carrier members, recognize that traveling too fast for conditions is one of the most prominent reasons for accidents on our roads today. Both the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have identified speeding as a leading cause of crashes and a key target for improvement by both industry and

government stakeholders. The trucking industry has a safety obligation to responsibly operate vehicles at speeds in which they can effectively control and limit the opportunity for

accidents.

TCA’s carrier members represent the best that the industry has to offer and have demonstrated time and again that they are ahead of the curve when it comes to trucking technology and its

usefulness within their fleets. Speed limiting devices are just one example of this. The majority of TCA’s members have already adopted speed limiters, in addition to many other safety

technologies that they believe will save countless lives, and they are using their electronic logging devices to identify drivers in need of remediation.

In today’s trucking environment, TCA members are demonstrating an operational approach to safety, not only because it makes excellent business sense, but also because of the moral imperative

it represents. The effects that speed limiting technology will have on the industry as a whole will eventually create a level playing field among all carriers so that we can continue to

have meaningful discussions around topics such as safety, productivity and the future of trucking technology.

TCA sincerely hopes that the association, along with those that share a similar policy, will be viewed as safety champions and pioneers of technology to truly achieve what matters most in

our industry – safely delivering freight. We thank Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) for their leadership on S. 2033 and look forward to working with them and their

colleagues on Capitol Hill to pass this important piece of legislation.

Although new guidance on mask wearing returns the industry to some semblance of normalcy after over a year of lockdowns and restrictions, employers should remain cautious in revising

policies.

While Texans are accustomed to living life free of excessive state-level taxes, they were in for a shock when their own U.S. Senator, Republican John Cornyn, used his national platform to

advocate for the establishment of a truck-only vehicle miles traveled tax.

As we discuss ways to improve the sales relationship between carrier and shipper, the term “commodity” always comes up. Most carriers feel being a commodity diminishes the services they

provide. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Three-part workshop series to focus on effective leadership communication strategies to motivate and retain your essential workers.

The nation’s top trucking research group plans to update previous studies on the effects of legalized marijuana and other drugs on truck safety along with integrating 18- to 20-year-old

drivers into the industry.

Throughout the entire 90-year history of trucking in the United States, excessive detention has been a scourge on the industry. An upcoming 90-minute immersive workshop will share tools and

strategies to combat this issue and keep the wheels moving and profitable.

While a request for Supreme Court review of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to overturn an injunction banning enforcement of California’s AB5 will almost certainly follow, at

this time, motor carriers who operate in California must be prepared to act in accordance with AB5.

The word “safety” is everywhere in the trucking industry. It is talked about nearly every day in the press, Congress has zeroed in on it, and most carriers will say that it is their top

priority. With all this attention, it’s easy to believe that safety has become cliché. But it’s not.

A day after Colonial Pipeline said there was light at the end of the tunnel for the line’s closure due to a cyberattack, the impact of the shutdown on the ground is being felt.

Truck drivers and fleets have two months to prepare for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual Operation Safe Driver Week, which is set for July 11-17. Here is what

inspectors will be looking for.