Daines’ bill prohibits speed limiting devices in commercial trucks

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) recently proposed legislation that would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from mandating that large commercial motor vehicles engaged in interstate commerce be equipped with a speed limiting device.

“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,” Sen. 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.”

Sen. Daines on July 27 sponsored the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-wheelers (DRIVE) Act, S. 2671, with five GOP original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

Specifically, S. 2671 would prohibit the FMCSA from issuing any rule or promulgating any regulation to require vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed, according to the bill’s text.

According to Sen. Daines’ office, studies show that speed limiting devices on large commercial motor vehicles make roads less safe, increase congestion, and create dangerous speed differentials among vehicles that lead to higher crash rates. 

The Montana Trucking Association, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, the Livestock Marketing Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Western States Trucking Association, and the Towing and Recovery Association of America support S. 2671.

The measure has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.