The Department of Transportation officially removed a proposal to mandate speed limiters for heavy-duty vehicles last month, closing off a nearly decade-long regulatory cloud.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officially removed the joint notice of proposed rulemaking on July 24, citing policy and safety concerns and uncertainty over estimated costs, benefits and other impacts.
The agency announced its plan to withdraw from the proposal in June as part of a Secretary Sean Duffy's “pro-trucker package.”
Duffy has been vocal about his stance on speed limiters and other trucker-related policies.
“We want D.C. bureaucrats OUT of your trucks so we’re eliminating the absurd speed limiters rule,” Duffy said on social media platform X.
When the rulemaking was open for comment on the analysis of the costs and benefits of amending the proposal to require speed-limiting devices and their usage, 7,225 comments were received.
Other agencies such as the Michigan Department of Transportation also opposed the rule, according to the federal registry docket summary. The state agency commented that the increased speed differential between heavy vehicles and light vehicles could lead to more crashes.
Coach USA and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety supported the speed limiters rulemaking because a speed differential already existing between trucks and cars on the highway, and lower speeds could lower kinetic energy of crashes, the group said.
Read more to learn what various trucking groups had to say about the agency's ultimate actions.
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Lewie Pugh, EVP
“The old ways of doing things in Washington are over. After nearly 20 years, big trucking’s proposed speed limiter mandate is dead. This failed proposal represented the worst of Washington and the worst of trucking: big corporations trying to use big government to undercut small businesses and increase corporate profits. Not only would this proposal have harmed working class Americans — small business truckers in our communities — it would have made our highways less safe for all motorists. We thank Secretary Duffy and the Trump Administration for listening to truckers by prioritizing safety, small businesses, and common sense.”
Truckload Carriers Association, David Heller, SVP of Safety and Government Affairs
“The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has consistently supported the concept of speed management, including limiting truck speeds to a maximum of 65 mph, or up to 70 mph when paired with technologies such as adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking (AEB).
“However, in the absence of clear guidance from FMCSA regarding the specific speed threshold being considered, it is difficult for us to offer a definitive position on the agency’s decision to withdraw the proposed rulemaking.
“That said, the growing adoption of advanced safety technologies, such as AEB and forward collision warning systems, by our member fleets may provide safety benefits that exceed those of a speed limiter mandate alone. As the industry continues to innovate, TCA remains committed to supporting practical, data-driven solutions that enhance highway safety while preserving operational efficiency.”
American Trucking Associations, Dan Horvath, COO
“This was expected and is consistent with the administration's deregulatory agenda. We believe USDOT can successfully balance deregulatory actions while enforcing sensible regulations that are on the books, in line with its safety mission.”
California Trucking Association, Nick Chiappe, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs
“Truck safety technology has advanced significantly in recent years, offering safety benefits to drivers and fleets. Many carriers have proactively adopted these technologies even in the absence of a formal rule, underscoring the industry's ongoing commitment to improving highway safety.”
