A new Senate bill aims to block a federal move to enforce speed limiters on heavy trucks. This legislation is led by Senator Steve Daines from Montana.
What's happening: The FMCSA plans to introduce regulations requiring speed limiters for large commercial vehicles in May 2025. Senator Daines introduced the DRIVE Act to stop these regulations from taking effect.
- The bill, known as the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act, seeks to prevent new mandates on speed limiters for trucks.
- Many trucking and agricultural groups back the DRIVE Act due to concerns about safety and congestion caused by speed limiters.
Why it matters: Opponents argue that speed limiters increase the risk of accidents and road rage by creating speed differences on highways.
- The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) supports the bill, with President Todd Spencer saying, “forcing trucks to operate below the speed of traffic makes roads less safe” according to an OOIDA press release.
What's next: The DRIVE Act proposal comes as a similar version was introduced in the house last month by Rep. Josh Brechee.
The bill reflects truckers' ongoing push against regulations they say could hinder their work and compromise road safety.