Statement from IST and Road Safe America Opposing H.R. 3039

The Institute for Safer Trucking and Road Safe America strongly opposes H.R. 3039, which seeks to prohibit the use of speed-limiting devices on large trucks. This bill is an unnecessary and dangerous step backwards in our efforts to make our roads safer for all users.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been a disturbing increase in truck crash deaths in recent years, with the number of fatalities rising from 3,944 in 2012 to 5,788 in 2021 – a 47 percent increase. This is an alarming trend that cannot be ignored, and it is imperative that we take action to reduce the number of truck crashes on our roads. The numbers are even worse when looking at high speed roads (speed limits of 75mph or more): over that same time, the number of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes on these high-speed roads increased by 139 percent. With statistics like these, it should come as no surprise that truck driver deaths are now at their highest level on record in the last 15 years.

Opponents of a speed limiter-use requirement argue that they “cause more crashes.” However, this argument ignores the fact that speed limiters have been used voluntarily for years by leading trucking companies. If speed limiters, in fact, caused more crashes, these companies would have experienced higher crash rates, but they didn't. Additionally, none of the companies that have voluntarily set speed limiters has been sued for using this safety technology on their trucks. We need not suppose what would happen if we required the use of speed limiters, we just need to look at the track record of profitable trucking companies.

There is also research that highlights the benefits of setting speed limiters. For example, a study conducted by the Unites States Department of Transportation concluded that trucks using speed limiters were in half as many high-speed collisions as those not using speed limiters. Statistics like this should give the sponsors of the legislation pause, especially since the technology in question has been built into all large trucks for the past 20 years.

The arguments against speed limiters are based on myths perpetuated by companies that want to engage in speeding to gain a competitive advantage over safe companies. These companies are putting profits over safety, and this is unacceptable. It is time for our lawmakers to recognize that speed limiters are a proven technology that can help prevent crashes, save lives, and improve a trucking company’s profitability.

We urge lawmakers to reject H.R. 3039 and to support measures that promote safety on our roads, including the required use of speed limiters on heavy commercial vehicles.