Truck Safety Advocates Push for Speed Limiters, Automatic Braking

Federal studies have shown that speed limiters and automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems significantly reduce large truck accidents in Mississippi and around the country. Despite this, Congress has failed to pass legislation requiring the use of the technologies. As a result, truck safety advocates are pushing President Donald Trump to step in and get the job done.

Several truck safety groups have been trying to get laws requiring the use of speed limiters and AEB systems passed since 2006. However, since that time, the organizations have become increasingly frustrated as both Democratic and Republican administrations have failed to move such legislation forward. The lack of action comes despite a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showing that speed limiters can significantly decrease the chances of a truck accident. Meanwhile, other studies show that around 2,500 truck accidents could be prevented by AEB systems every year.

In an effort to get the new rules passed, Road Safe America and the Truck Safety Coalition are asking President Trump to intervene and tell the U.S. Department of Transportation to implement the regulations. However, trucking industry groups such as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the American Trucking Associations are reluctant to support the use of speed limiters unless passenger vehicles are also required to slow down. The groups insist that optimum road safety can only be achieved when all vehicles drive at the same speed.

Truck accidents can be caused by a number of factors, including excessive speed. People who have been injured as a result of truck driver negligence might want to have their attorney seek compensation through a settlement with the carrier’s insurance company.