FMCSA to Propose New Rule Mandating Speed Limiters for Commercial Motor Vehicles

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is set to announce its intent to proceed with a proposed rulemaking to require speed limiters on commercial motor vehicles (CMV) with a GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs. The requirement would apply to new and existing CMVs that are equipped with factory installed engine control units capable of limiting engine speed to a maximum to be determined under the rulemaking. According to the FMCSA, all CMVs manufactured since 1999 are equipped with ECUs. However, FMCSA said it is likely that only ECUs installed in model years 2003 and later will be able to limit speeds to a set minimum. The FMCSA has yet to determine the maximum speed limit for CMVs or the model years subject to the speed limiter mandate.

The FMCSA’s Notice of Intent seeks additional data from stakeholders to determine if a different approach to speed limiters should be adopted by the FMCSA. EMA is on record opposing past speed limiter proposals due to costs and safety concerns. Speed limiters create unnecessary traffic congestion and dangerous speed differentials among vehicles resulting in higher crash rates. EMA will submit comments in opposition to the upcoming proposed speed limiter rule and take other actions to prevent its adoption as a regulatory requirement by the FMCSA.