Are Semi Trucks Governed and Why It Matters

In the United States, semi-trucks are indeed governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This regulatory body sets rules for semi-truck speed governors, which are electronic devices that limit a truck's top speed to 65 mph.

The FMCSA requires all new semi-trucks to be equipped with speed governors that meet certain standards. These standards ensure that the governors are accurate and reliable.

Semi-trucks without speed governors, also known as "unregulated" trucks, are allowed to operate on certain routes, but only if they are traveling at a speed of 65 mph or less. This is because the FMCSA has designated certain routes as "unregulated" areas.

The use of speed governors in semi-trucks matters because it helps prevent accidents caused by speeding. In fact, studies have shown that speed governors can reduce the number of accidents involving semi-trucks by up to 20%.

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Semi trucks are governed by a combination of electronic and mechanical systems. The engine computer, also known as the engine control module (ECM), plays a crucial role in governing the truck's speed.

The ECM uses data from various sensors to monitor the truck's speed and adjust the engine's performance accordingly. This ensures that the truck operates within the designated speed limits.

Semi trucks are equipped with a governor, which is a mechanical device that regulates the engine's speed. The governor is typically located on the engine's crankshaft and is connected to the throttle valve.

The governor works by using centrifugal force to regulate the throttle valve's position, which in turn controls the engine's speed. This system is designed to prevent the engine from over-revving and to maintain a consistent speed.

In addition to the governor, semi trucks also have a speed limiter, which is a device that prevents the truck from exceeding a certain speed. The speed limiter is usually set to the maximum speed limit for the truck's operation.

The federal government doesn't have a standard governed speed limit for all trucks in the United States. However, many carriers opt for speed limits of around 68-70 mph for their trucks.

In fact, according to FreightWaves, federal regulators plan to propose setting a truck speed limit using electronic engine devices in a proposed rule anticipated in 2023. This proposal is part of the FMCSA's speed limiter proposal that aims to mitigate the risks associated with excessive speed.

The Trucking Alliance, a nonpartisan coalition, supports the FMCSA's proposal, stating that it believes the industry is ethically bound to support safety reforms that can reduce and eventually eliminate all large truck crash fatalities.

In the United States, there isn't a federal mandate that specifies a standard governed speed for all trucks. Most major trucking carriers have speed limiters in their trucks, but they don't all govern their trucks at the same speed. Some trucks are governed at 65, some at 68, some at 70 and so on.

The governed speed limit can vary based on the carrier's policies, the type of road (urban vs. highway), and regulations. Some states may have different maximum speed limits for trucks, which can also influence the governed speed setting. This is a common question truck driver recruiters get from drivers.

The Trucking Alliance, a nonpartisan coalition, believes in the benefits of reasonably limiting speeds for commercial motor vehicles. They support a federal motor carrier safety standard that will require large commercial trucks not to exceed a reasonable maximum highway speed.

In June 2022, the Trucking Alliance submitted comments on the proposed regulation for speed limit devices, stating that their coalition believes the industry is ethically bound to support safety reforms that can reduce and eventually eliminate all large truck crash fatalities. Excessive speed is oftentimes a leading factor in large truck crashes.

Some carriers opt for speed limits of around 68-70 mph for their trucks. Schneider, a leading trucking company, has different speed limits for their drivers, such as team drivers and bulk drivers who can go 65, while OTR solo drivers can only go 63.

Here's a breakdown of the types of governors used in semi-trucks:

Electronic governors are the most common type used today, as they can only be modified with specialized computer equipment, making it next-to-impossible for drivers to tamper with them.

Insurance companies often require trucking companies to have speed limiters on their fleet, which is a safety measure.

Some insurance companies require speed limiters to be installed on trucks, so it's essential to check with your insurance provider about their specific requirements.

Trucking companies must comply with these insurance requirements to avoid any issues or penalties.

The FMCSA has outlined a speed limiter proposal to reduce accidents involving commercial motor vehicles. This proposal aims to enhance safety on the roads and promote consistency in speed limits across different states.

The proposal would impose speed limitations on certain CMVs that operate in interstate commerce, namely those with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more equipped with an electronic control unit that's capable of being governed.

The FMCSA has announced that its proposed truck speed limiter rule will be delayed until mid-2025, with no reason provided for the delay.

A key aspect of the proposal is the use of electronic engine control units (ECUs) already present in most large trucks built since 1992. This technology allows operators to simply turn on the speed limiter device.

The Trucking Alliance supports the proposal, stating that excessive speed is often a leading factor in large truck crashes. They believe that higher safety thresholds and new industry technology can contribute to reducing the risk of large truck crash fatalities.

Here are some key statistics about the Trucking Alliance:

The proposal has not been adopted yet, but the Trucking Alliance is confident that Congress will reject the legislation that would stop the FMCSA from implementing the speed limiter solution.

Maintaining driver safety and reducing accidents are top priorities when it comes to semi-truck governance. The primary cause of most fatal crashes is speed, which is why speed limiters are a crucial safety feature.

Numerous reports confirm that speed is the main culprit behind fatal crashes. A study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that trucks with speed limiters have a 50 percent lower crash rate compared to trucks without them.

Driving a slower, safe speed with a limiter allows you to see what's far ahead and gives you time to slow down if there's an accident in front of you. This six-vehicle following distance is a game-changer for maintaining safety on the road.

In the United States, semi-trucks are governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ensure they meet strict emissions and safety standards.

These regulations dictate that semi-trucks must meet specific emissions standards, including those for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

Semi-trucks are also required to have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of at least 26,011 pounds, which helps prevent overloading and reduces the risk of accidents.

The EPA requires semi-trucks to have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to reduce particulate emissions, which can contribute to air pollution and negative health effects.

The NHTSA requires semi-trucks to have a speed limiter, which limits the vehicle's top speed to 65 or 68 miles per hour, depending on the model year.

These safety controls help prevent speeding-related accidents and reduce the risk of fatalities on the road.

In addition to these regulations, semi-trucks must also meet specific safety standards for brakes, tires, and other critical components.

Proponents of speed limiters argue that they mitigate risks associated with excessive speed, making accidents less fatal at slower speeds. Drivers can better control worst-case scenarios when operating at slower speeds.

Another benefit of speed limiters is that CMVs have better fuel efficiency, which reduces operating costs for carriers and contributes to environmental sustainability. Implementing speed limiters can help optimize fuel consumption by keeping vehicles within an efficient speed range.

Speed limiters also enable compliance with speed regulations, making it easier for law enforcement to monitor and enforce speed limits on CMVs. This ensures general road safety and protects CMV drivers and operating companies in case of accidents.

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The Anti-Limiter Argument relies heavily on a lack of data around truck congestion and road rage. Many argue that speed limiters would result in governed trucks running 20-25mph slower than average traffic.

Opponents claim this would lead to increased traffic and passenger vehicles using aggressive driving to navigate around commercial motor vehicles, increasing the risk of fatal accidents. However, this assumption ignores the fact that speed differences already exist on highways.

In reality, the NHTSA's research suggests that limiting heavy vehicles to 65 mph may actually reduce the risk of crashes on roads with posted speed limits of up to 80 mph. This is because the speed difference between commercial motor vehicles and median travel speed would be reduced.

Some of the most-profitable trucking companies in the United States have been speed limiting their trucks for years, with no reported difficulties in higher-speed states. Companies like Werner Enterprises and J.B. Hunt have been doing this for decades, with no need to reverse their decision.

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The Pro Limiter Argument makes a compelling case for implementing speed limiters in the trucking industry. Accidents that occur at slower speeds are less fatal compared to those that happen at higher speeds.

One of the key benefits of speed limiters is improved fuel efficiency. CMVs generally have better fuel efficiency when operating at slower speeds.

By keeping vehicles within an efficient speed range, speed limiters can help optimize fuel consumption. This reduces operating costs for carriers and contributes to environmental sustainability.

Lower fuel consumption and emissions by trucks also have a positive impact on the environment. Should speed limiters become a standard practice, we may see significant decreases in harmful emissions caused by trucks.

Speed limiters also make it easier for law enforcement to monitor and enforce speed limits on CMVs. This ensures general road safety and protects CMV drivers and operating companies in case of accidents.

Overall, limiting CMV speeds protects passenger vehicle operators, truck drivers, and trucking companies.

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