Statement Opposing Legislation to Block FMCSA’s Speed Limiter Rule

The Institute for Safer Trucking strongly opposes any legislative effort to prevent the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from finalizing a rule requiring the use of speed limiters in large trucks. Such efforts undermine decades of research, safety data, and real-world success demonstrating that speed limiters are proven, life-saving technology.

Over the last decade, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased by a staggering 69 percent on roads with speed limits of 75 mph or higher—far outpacing the already alarming 43 percent increase in all fatal truck crashes. In 2023 alone, more than one in four speeding trucks involved in fatal crashes were traveling on roads posted at 70 mph or more. These are not isolated statistics—they are clear indicators that excessive speed on high-speed roadways is a deadly and growing threat.

Fortunately, we know what works. Many of the nation’s largest and most successful trucking companies, including those operating in high-speed states, voluntarily set their trucks’ speed limiters at 65 or 70 mph. These companies have not seen an increase in crashes, injuries, or deaths—on the contrary, they are helping drive progress. Nationally, truck crash fatalities decreased by 8 percent from 2022 to 2023, thanks in part to companies investing in safety technologies like speed limiters.

Opponents of this rule are not prioritizing safety—they’re prioritizing speed for profit. They want to use dangerously high speeds as a competitive advantage, disregarding the safety of other road users and the professional drivers who share the road. Their erroneous claims that speed differentials pose a greater safety risk than high-speed trucking have been repeatedly debunked. Leading carriers operating coast to coast already use speed limiters with no uptick in crashes, and there have been zero lawsuits filed against a company for using speed limiter technology.

The FMCSA must be allowed to move forward with its rulemaking that enjoys support from major trucking interests and safety advocates alike. We cannot allow misinformation, outdated anecdotes, or special interests to dictate public safety policy. Americans deserve safer roads—and speed limiters are a critical step toward achieving that goal.