For many drivers, there is nothing scarier than seeing a large truck speeding down the highway next to them. A new plan proposing speed caps could change that. But will the plan make things safer or even more dangerous?
Urged on by the frequency and severity of truck accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have created a plan to require speed limiting devices for all newly manufactured trucks in the United States.
Note: The first petition (in 2006) to limit truck speeds came from a couple who lost their son to a speeding truck driver in 2002. The couple believes that all trucks — new and old — should require the speed capping device.
The agencies have debated on setting the speed limit cap at 60, 65 or 68 miles per hour; however, they have not yet determined what the exact limit will be.
The agencies are listening to feedback from the community until November 7 when they will decide how to proceed with the proposed plan.
According the agencies, the plan could save as many as 498 lives — and billions of dollars — every year. The plan would also keep truck drivers from putting too much strain on their tires, causing blowouts and crashes.
Despite these statistics, there are some U.S. citizens — at least 150, namely truck drivers — who are against the proposed speed limit caps.
Many of the drivers who operate these large trucks warn that limiting their speeds could actually be more dangerous, as they will be unable to keep up with the cars around them.
This could cause drivers in adjacent cars (or other trucks) to try to speed around the trucks on busy interstates. This is a special area of concern for drivers west of the Mississippi. Five states have speed limits of 80 miles per hour or above on certain interstates.
If trucks cannot go faster than 60 miles per hour, they could cause traffic jams, anger passenger car drivers, or cause accidents with cars going too fast to avoid the truck.
Regardless of proposals for speed capping devices, as it stands now, commercial trucks can be a serious danger to drivers, especially if the truck driver is distracted, fatigued, intoxicated, or driving over the speed limit.
Do not let a truck accident leave you without the help and financial support you need. Call the truck accident attorneys from Goldstein & Bashner now to schedule a free consultation to discuss your rights to compensation.
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