By Scout Nelson
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have officially withdrawn a proposed rule that would have required speed limiters on large commercial trucks. This move is seen as a major win for the livestock industry and rural transportation safety.
The proposed rule would have mandated that commercial motor vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more be fitted with speed-limiting devices. These devices would have capped truck speeds even when posted limits allowed faster travel, raising concerns among livestock haulers who transport live animals across long distances.
Many in the industry feared such a rule would create unsafe driving conditions. It was believed that speed differences between vehicles could increase accident risks, reduce flexibility, and push skilled haulers out of their jobs due to added stress and time constraints.
“America’s livestock haulers know how to safely navigate our nation’s roads and putting an artificial speed device in the truck with them was only going to create safety hazards, increase risk to drivers and travelers and push livestock haulers out of their jobs,” said NCBA Policy Division Chair Skye Krebs.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has opposed this rule since its introduction during the Obama administration. The group supports H.R. 2819, known as the DRIVE Act, which aims to prevent any future efforts to implement similar speed limiter rules.
This withdrawal marks a significant step in protecting the flexibility and efficiency of rural transportation systems, particularly for haulers responsible for the safe movement of livestock across the country.
The industry continues to monitor legislative developments to ensure future policies support both road safety and the unique needs of agricultural transport.
Photo Credit:istock-stefonlinton
Categories: Kansas, General, Livestock