U.S. Speed Limiter Law Cancellation: Implications for Cross-Border Fleets

The U.S. speed limiter law, which aimed to mandate speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks, has been cancelled. This decision has far-reaching implications for cross-border fleets operating in the United States and Canada. The speed limiter law was intended to improve safety on U.S. roads by limiting the speed of heavy-duty trucks to 68 mph. However, the cancellation of this law means that trucking companies will no longer be required to install speed limiters on their vehicles. This change is expected to have a significant impact on cross-border fleets, which will need to adapt to the new regulatory environment. The cancellation of the speed limiter law is a result of a court ruling that deemed the regulation unnecessary. The court’s decision was based on the argument that the regulation would not have a significant impact on safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) had proposed the speed limiter law in 2016, but it was met with opposition from the trucking industry. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) were among the groups that opposed the regulation. The ATA argued that the regulation would lead to increased congestion on highways and decreased productivity for trucking companies. The OOIDA argued that the regulation would be an unnecessary burden on small trucking companies and independent drivers. The cancellation of the speed limiter law is a victory for the trucking industry, which had argued that the regulation was unnecessary and would have negative consequences. However, safety advocates are concerned that the cancellation of the law will lead to an increase in accidents involving heavy-duty trucks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had estimated that the speed limiter law would prevent up to 1,115 crashes per year. The cancellation of the law means that trucking companies will need to rely on other safety measures, such as driver training and vehicle maintenance, to reduce the risk of accidents. Cross-border fleets will need to ensure that their drivers are aware of the changed regulatory environment and that they are complying with all applicable safety regulations. The cancellation of the speed limiter law is also expected to have an impact on fuel efficiency. The FMCSA had estimated that the speed limiter law would reduce fuel consumption by up to 2.2 billion gallons per year. However, the cancellation of the law means that trucking companies will need to rely on other measures, such as aerodynamic devices and efficient routing, to improve fuel efficiency. The U.S. Department of Transportation had also estimated that the speed limiter law would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 28.5 million metric tons per year. The cancellation of the law means that trucking companies will need to rely on other measures, such as alternative fuels and electric vehicles, to reduce their environmental impact. In conclusion, the cancellation of the U.S. speed limiter law has significant implications for cross-border fleets. Trucking companies will need to adapt to the new regulatory environment and ensure that they are complying with all applicable safety regulations. The cancellation of the law is a victory for the trucking industry, but safety advocates are concerned that it will lead to an increase in accidents involving heavy-duty trucks. As the trucking industry continues to evolve, it is likely that there will be further changes to safety regulations and environmental standards. Cross-border fleets will need to stay up-to-date with these changes and ensure that they are complying with all applicable regulations.

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