Can speed limiters on large trucks reduce the incidence of fatal and severe accidents in North Carolina? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) thinks so as it has urged the U.S. government to expedite plans to place the devices in large trucks and expand the requirement to medium-duty trucks.
Limits discussed more than a decade ago
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has requested comments about the proposed speed limiters as the agency believes the installation of the devices will reduce the severity of motor vehicle accidents involving trucks. The proposal would require speed limiters on the largest commercial vehicles weighing more than 26,000 tons. The agency also wants to include Class 3-6 trucks, which can weigh 10,001 tons to 26,000 tons when fully loaded.
In 2020, excessive speed was a factor in about one-third of fatal crashes in the United States. Safety experts have also voiced their concerns as many states have increased their speed limits considerably in recent years. Even when trucks are not speeding, higher speeds are significant factors as the sheer weight of these vehicles makes injuries more severe in crashes and rollovers. The higher the speed, the farther a truck must travel to avoid hitting other vehicles when stopping.
Dealing with trucking injuries
Some trucking companies are already using speed limiters that cap the rate at which their rigs can travel on highways. Yet many truckers continue to travel at high speeds to get loads to their destinations on time.
High-speed trucking accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that can take years to resolve or leave victims with permanent disabilities. If you or a loved one have been injured in a trucking accident as a result of the negligence of the driver or the trucking company, you may be able to file for compensation to cover your injuries.
Even though the United States government does not yet require speed limiters, you may also be able to cite the absence of the devices in a trucking accident. While speed limiters may not completely prevent accidents, they may be able to reduce injury severity.
