U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the “Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act,” a bill that would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from implementing any rule or regulation mandating large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) engaged in interstate commerce be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed. Studies have shown that speed limiting devices on large CMVs make our roads less safe, increasing congestion and creating dangerous speed differentials among vehicles, leading to higher crash rates.
“Montana truckers play an essential role in the Treasure State’s economy and ensuring they stay safe on the job is one of my top priorities,” Daines said. “Overreaching, out-of-touch D.C. mandates oftentimes make truckers’ jobs harder and can even put their lives at risk—I’ll keep fighting for Montana truckers and against big government.”
Click HERE to read the full text of the bill.
The Montana Trucking Association, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, the Livestock Marketing Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Western States Trucking Association, and the Towing and Recovery Association of America all support Daines’ “DRIVE Act.”
Senator Daines is joined by Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Kevin Cramer (R- N.D.) in cosponsoring this legislation.
Statements of Support:
“The Montana Trucking Association would like to thank Senator Steve Daines for leading the efforts to inhibit FMCSA from implementing a requirement that trucks over 26,000 pounds have speed limiters. In rural states like Montana, a truck speed limiter will create additional speed differences between trucks and cars, which does not enhance the safety of our highways. Trucks should not be treated differently than cars by governing their speed. Thank you, Senator Daines, for promoting the decision to let the individual states (who know their roads best), establish the proper speed limit for cars and trucks.” – Duane Williams, CEO, Montana Trucking Association
“Forcing trucks to speeds below the flow of traffic increases interactions between vehicles and leads to more crashes. It’ll be like an obstacle course for passenger vehicle drivers on our highways. OOIDA and our 150,000 members in small business trucking across America thank Senator Daines for his leadership in working to keep our roadways safe for truckers and for all road users.”–Todd Spencer, President, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
“A mandated speed limiter rule on trucks would cause rolling traffic jams on many interstate highways, where there’s varying terrain or when trying to pass two or more governed trucks. The resulting speed differentials between governed trucks and private vehicles will reduce highway safety. Thus, the National Association of Small Trucking Companies heartily supports the DRIVE Act. NASTC is very pleased to see this bill introduced in the Senate, and we thank Senator Daines for sponsoring the DRIVE Act.” – David Owen, President, National Association of Small Trucking Companies.
“Cattle producers have full faith in our highly trained livestock haulers. Adding another piece of government-mandated technology to their trucks will make them less prepared to adjust to road conditions while actually making the roads less safe. NCBA is a strong supporter of the DRIVE Act, and we appreciate Senator Daines supporting legislation that is backed by livestock haulers and makes the roads safer.” – Todd Wilkinson, President, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
“The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc. (TRAA) thanks Senator Daines for his support in opposition of speed limiting devices. We appreciate that he shares our concerns regarding responder and motorist safety. Any proposal that prevents operators from adhering to state Move Over Laws, limits their ability to react to roadway hazards, or has the potential to increase interactions and crashes is dangerous to responders and the motoring public.” – Cynthia J. Martineau, Executive Director of the Towing and Recovery Association of America.