Numerous government agencies are waiting to see how the new president will handle the safety regulation they have been trying to impose since 2006. While the goal of the new rule is to reduce truck accidents and their devastating consequences, some fear it will also slow economic growth, which President-elect Trump vows to protect. Drivers in New York and across the country recently made their opinions known by submitting comments to the agencies involved.
Last summer the National Highway Safety Administration and others published a proposal to require speed limiters to be installed in every newly manufactured truck in the country. In fact, some safety advocates even want older trucks to have the devices which prevent the trucks from traveling faster than a certain speed, for example 68 mph. Independent truckers, however, submitted comments objecting to the proposal, partly for the economic damage it would do to their companies, but also for safety reasons.
Advocates of the rule say that fewer people would be killed or injured in accidents involving slower-moving trucks. They also feel that truck tires, which are not made to withstand speeds over 75 mph, would be less likely to blow out and cause accidents. However, independent truckers argue that the slower speeds would cause more traffic jams and accidents due to drivers of smaller cars hitting the backs of slower trucks.
It has yet to be seen if the slower speed limits will actually reduce the number and severity of truck accidents in New York and across the country. Nevertheless, those who suffer injury or loss because of an accident involving a commercial vehicle may have cause to seek compensation from the truck driver, the trucking company or both. Victims and their families can find answers to their questions by consulting a lawyer with a strong reputation for handling all types of accident cases.
Source: ABC, “Safety Advocates Fear Truck Speed Limiter Rule Could Stall”, Tom Krisher, Dec. 19, 2016