A bill to stop the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from pushing a speed limiter rule on big rigs is back on the floor.
What's going on: Known as the DRIVE Act, the bill is led by Rep. Josh Brecheen. It aims to prevent any rule demanding trucks over 26,000 pounds be fitted with devices that cap their speed.
The backstory: FMCSA has been eyeing this rule to slow down heavy-duty trucks. But truckers and some politicians argue these devices could make roads more dangerous by causing speed differences that lead to more crashes.
- Brecheen, who knows firsthand the trucking business and how important keeping steady with traffic flow is, stated, "Safety is enhanced by following state-set traffic flows, not a blanket rule."
- Supporters of the bill include the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and other groups.
Zoom in: The rule is seen as federal overreach by many in the trucking and agriculture sectors. "Nobody understands and appreciates road safety more than truck drivers," noted Todd Spencer from OOIDA. A federal mandate would make truck speeds inconsistent with traffic and heighten crash chances reported in a press release.
Lawmakers opposing the rule hope the DRIVE Act can guard against potential future requirements, ensuring that truckers maintain control of their rigs the way they know best.