Schumer calls for speed regulations, technology on trucks - New York Post

Sen. Chuck Schumer said Sunday he wants big rigs to slow down and be forced to employ new technology that caps truck speed.

New York’s senior senator called lawmakers and transportation agencies to huddle up and agree on how fast trucks – weighing at least 26,000 pounds – should go.

Speed-restricting technology is already used in about 70 percent of big trucks already on the road, according to Schumer.

“It’s not just a fear you have when there’s a big truck driving behind you at a fast rate … it’s dangerous,” he said.

“Every New Yorker or commuter who has been next to or in the cross-hairs of a speeding big rig, technology like this cannot be installed fast enough.”

A spokesman for the American Trucking Associations said the industry advocacy group has long asked feds to set national standards – somewhere between 60 mph to 68 mph.

But legislation’s been bogged down in the slow lane as states have steadily increased speed limits since Congress repealed the 65 mph limit in 1995.

The group cited, as an example, Texas State Highway 130 – a toll through San Antonio – that has an 85 mph speed limit. A 60 mph limit could theoretically put big-rig drivers a dangerous 25 mph behind passing motorists.

“We’re kind of stuck in this spot,” said Sean McNally, vice president of the American Trucking Associations. “We support notion limiting truck speeds – however in limiting truck speeds without addressing all traffic (other conflicting speed limits) may be problematic.”

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