Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Proposed Speed Limit Rule
November 28, 2016In an effort to improve highway safety and prevent serious truck accidents, the Department of Transportation recently announced a proposal that would make it mandatory for commercial trucks to install speed-limiting devices. Once installed, the device will prevent trucks from exceeding the speed limit. Currently, the rule applies to trucks over 26,000 pounds. Motor carriers would be responsible for maintaining the devices.
Considering the devastation that an 80,000-pound truck can cause when it collides with a car, speed control can reduce the severity of a truck wreck. The DOT hopes that the use of speed controls will encourage drivers to also be more mindful when merging and changing lanes.
There are truckers who disagree with these mandatory speed limiters, saying that it could create potentially dangerous situations on the roads, wherein cars are trying to quickly change lanes to avoid trucks that are traveling at a much slower speed. According to some truckers, this can cause other drivers to become frustrated, often leading to road rage.
Opinions on Limiter Ability to Reduce Truck Accidents Are Divisive
The proposal states that the speed limiters will cap maximum truck speed at 60, 65, or 68 miles per hour. Chris Spear, chief executive of the nation’s largest trucking industry trade group, expressed concern over how the menu of top speeds will work. For example, according to Spear, if the device prevents the truck from traveling faster than 60 miles per hour, and the posted speed limit is 75 miles per hour, the other cars on the road will be driving much faster than the big-rigs, making it difficult to avoid hitting the back of the truck if the driver cannot change lanes.
However, supporters of the device are confident that it will reduce truck accidents, promote safer driving habits overall among truckers, and save over $1 billion in fuel costs each year. In fact, some believe that the proposal should apply to all trucks, and not just the ones that are new. Steve Owings, co-founder of Road Safe America, believes that all trucks should be equipped with the speed limiter technology and that agencies should not waive enforcement against pre-existing trucks.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Obtain Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck crash in Maryland, we understand how devastating this can be and we are here to help. The Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness Tolzman & Hamilton will thoroughly investigate the details of your case and determine who is responsible. Our dedicated team will pursue the maximum financial compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to assist those who have been denied Social Security benefits throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
