ATA Calls for Speed Limit, Limiters

With diesel and gasoline prices at historic highs, the American Trucking Associations is calling for speed limiters on new trucks and a national 65 mph speed limit. The association made the recommendation as part of its call for the Bush Administration to act quickly to ensure an affordable supply of oil for the nation’s 3.5 million truck drivers and American consumers.

As ATA pointed out, fuel costs are beginning to surpass labor as a trucking company’s largest expense, with high fuel costs affecting the cost of everything delivered by truck. The ATA offered a multi-point plan it says will help drive down diesel fuel prices, which included a nationwide maximum speed limit of 65 mph and requiring speed limiters – set at 68 mph – on new trucks. In addition, the ATA called for the release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, a national diesel standard, strict action on cases of price gouging, a reduction of regulatory barriers to adding new oil refineries, and a suspension of the 12 per cent FET on the purchase of auxiliary power units which cut off-hour engine idling.

“The signs are troubling. We are concerned about fuel’s direct impact on our industry and also its effects on the nation’s economy,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “The industry is doing its part to conserve fuel, but we need help.” (Tire Review/Akron)