The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced an Advance Notice of Supplemental Proposed Rulemaking that would require motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more be equipped with an electronic engine control unit (ECU) that can govern the maximum speed. The ECU will limit the commercial motor vehicle to a speed determined by the rulemaking. The device must be maintained for the life of the vehicle at the set speed.  

During the 30-day comment period, FMCSA is asking for public comment, specifically dealing with the programming or adjustment of ECUs that could impose speed limits below the posted speed limit on heavy-duty trucks. More information on the proposed rulemaking can be found here.

Safety concerns arise when there are set speed differentials between vehicles on the road. Commercial vehicles with limited maximum speeds may create additional congestion and frustration on roadways. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) policy opposes speed limiting technology on commercial vehicles.

AFBF Policy 125 2.18 states: We oppose any federal mandate to install speed limiters on commercial vehicles.

AFBF Policy 128 13.12 states: We oppose the federal mandated transportation policy that limits speed of commercial vehicles to a lower speed than the posted speed limit.

You have until June 3 to submit comments.


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