Safety Advocates Push for Speed Limiters on Large Commercial Trucks

Road Safe America is leading a campaign for speed limiters on all Class 8 trucks (the heaviest of trucks, including tractor-trailers), according to CDLife.com, a trucking website. The group wants to limit semi-trucks to 65 mph.

The nonprofit group's web page, "Big-Rig Speed-Limiter Use Must Be Required on Large Trucks," encourages people to contact their representatives in Congress to mandate the speed limitation devices. The page provides links to legislators.

The group was started by the parents of Cullum Owings, who was killed in a car vs. big rig crash in 2002. In a statement, the group praises truckers and places the blame on unfortunate industry practices:

"We feel that the average trucker is not treated with the respect and courtesy they deserve. After all, they provide 'backbone' services to the entire economy. They are also often overworked due to an incredibly dangerous and unfair predominant pay method - pay by-the-mile. We believe that this is not only unsafe, but also immoral."

What Are Some of Their Arguments?

Road Safe America urges supporters to make the following points when contacting lawmakers:

• Speed limiting capability is already on all but the oldest Class 8 trucks, so the cost is minimal.
• The majority of U.S. trucks already limit their top speed (usually 65 mph) because it is safer and saves money on fuel.
• A U.S. Department of Transportation study concluded trucks not using their speed governors were in twice as many high-speed collisions.
• A national survey by McLaughlin and Associates found 79 percent of voters favor the requirement and 45 percent "strongly favor it," while just 13 percent are opposed.

Big Truck Accidents Are Big Trouble

A fully-loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds. The average new car weighs about 4,000 pounds. When they collide, devastating or fatal injuries can occur to the occupants of the car.

You may be out of work for a lengthy recovery period, unable to pay your bills and provide for your family. You're also fighting a trucking company, its lawyers and its insurance company. They know you are financially desperate, so they will try to pressure you into accepting a settlement that falls far short of what you need.

Hiring a truck accident attorney from The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic can turn the odds in your favor. The Jacksonville-based firm has been investigating trucking accidents since 1974, and they know how trucking companies think - and how to defeat them to protect your interests.

They have a proven track record representing injured motorists - including a $13 million verdict for a teenager who suffered a severe brain injury in a crash caused by a logging truck, a settlement for a widow who lost her soulmate in a big rig collision, and a $9.65 million judgement for a father of two who had an out-of-control tractor trailer truck land on top of his pick-up truck, which burst into flames.

Contact them for a free case consultation today.