[su_press_release title=”OOIDA Supports Daines Bill to Stop Speed Limiter Mandates on Commercial Vehicles”]
Agriculture and Trucking Industries Seek Relief
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association supports U.S. Senator Steve Daines who introduced a critical piece of legislation that aims to protect agriculture and trucking industries from a federal proposal mandating unnecessary speed limiters on commercial motor vehicles.
The Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act prohibits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from enforcing rules that would require commercial motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds engaged in interstate commerce to be equipped with speed limiters. Such a mandate would cause congestion and create dangerous speed differentials on highways.
Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Daines in introducing the bill.
“No one is more committed to safe highways than America’s truck drivers. We share the same goal as every motorist—arriving safely. But forcing trucks to operate below the speed of traffic makes roads less safe by creating speed differences and more risky interactions. We appreciate Senator Daines’ leadership in standing with truckers and working to protect all road users from the dangers of a one-size-fits-all federal speed limiter regulation.” – Todd Spencer, President, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
“The Montana Trucking Association would like to thank Senator Steve Daines for leading the efforts to inhibit FMCSA from implementing a requirement that trucks over 10,000 pounds have speed limiters. In rural states like Montana, a truck speed limiter will create additional speed differences between trucks and cars, which does not enhance the safety of our highways.” – Duane Williams, Executive Director, Montana Trucking Association
“Agricultural retailers and their farm and ranch customers depend on an efficient, safe transportation system. A federal speed limiter mandate will create unsafe road conditions. We applaud Senator Daines for introducing this common-sense legislation that will allow states to determine the top speeds on their roads.” – Richard Gupton, Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Counsel, Agricultural Retailers Association
“The National Association of Small Trucking Companies thanks Senator Daines for leading this legislative effort to prevent the speed-limiter mandate. NASTC is ready to work with him to get this enacted.” – David Owen, President, Agricultural Retailers Association
“Cattle producers have full faith in our highly trained livestock haulers. Adding another piece of government-mandated technology to their trucks will make them less prepared to adjust to road conditions while making the roads less safe. We appreciate Senator Daines supporting legislation that makes our roads safer.” – Allison Rivera, Executive Director of Government Affairs, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
As the highway bill reauthorization progresses, supporters of the DRIVE Act will continue advocating for its inclusion in future legislation.
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