April 30, 2008
TRALA Supports Federal Standard Over N.J. Speed Limiter Bill
WASHINGTON –
TRALA is opposing the consideration of New
Jersey legislation that would mandate speed limiting
devices on any commercial truck operating in the state until a decision is made
on a federal rule. In order to avoid a state-by-state patchwork of varying
equipment mandates, TRALA is asking that New Jersey wait until the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration has completed its own study and
consideration of a federal rulemaking that would create a national standard for
speed limiting devices on trucks.
New Jersey Assembly Bill 2415, introduced by Assemblywoman
Marcia Karrow (R–Flemington) on Mar. 3 would require a speed limiting device
set at 68 miles per hour on every truck operating in the state. As written, the
bill would require the retrofitting of any truck, regardless of its age. For
lessors, the proposal could force the installation of devices on every truck in
order to insure compliance for vehicles that may travel through New Jersey.
In March 2007, TRALA supported a federal rulemaking process
on speed limiters in letters to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In its letters, TRALA
supported the American Trucking Associations petition for a rulemaking to
require vehicle manufacturers to install speed limiting devices set at no more
than 68 miles per hour on new trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating greater
than 26,000 pounds. TRALA also supported a rulemaking to prohibit tampering
with the devices.
For more information on this issue, contact TRALA’s Tom
James at (703) 299-9120 or at tjames@trala.org.