Federal Withdrawal of Truck Speed Limiter Mandate Sparks Safety Backlash

Blurred image of trucks and cars driving at night on a highway with red tail lights creating light trails.

Will the Decision Lead to More Deadly Truck Crashes?

On July 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it was withdrawing its proposed rule to mandate speed-limiting devices on large commercial vehicles. The decision ends more than 20 years of work toward establishing a federal safety standard that would have applied to multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and school buses with a gross weight over 26,000 pounds.

The proposal sought to reduce the number of speed-related fatalities involving heavy vehicles by requiring technology to cap maximum speeds. Safety advocates argue that the move could lead to more serious and fatal truck accidents. According to National Safety Council CEO Lorraine Martin, USDOT's research proves the life-saving benefits of speed limiters.

“This is a disappointing rollback of a decades-long effort to reduce speed-related fatalities involving large commercial vehicles. The National Safety Council urges USDOT to reconsider its decision, which will cost lives,” said Martin.

Why do speed limiters matter?

Speeding remains one of the most persistent and deadly factors in U.S. roadway crashes. In 2023, speeding made up 29% of all traffic fatalities, which claimed 11,775 lives, or more than 32 deaths each day. When high speeds are combined with the massive weight and force of large trucks, the consequences can be catastrophic.

That same year, 5,375 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes. While that’s an 8.4% drop from 2022, it still marks a 43% increase compared to a decade ago.

Research has consistently shown the effectiveness of speed limiters. A 2012 FMCSA study found that trucks equipped with the devices had significantly lower crash rates compared to those without them. According to USDOT estimates, setting a truck’s maximum speed to 65 mph could save over 200 lives and prevent nearly 5,000 injuries every year.

What happens next?

The withdrawal of the proposed rule means there will be no nationwide federal mandate for speed-limiting devices on heavy commercial vehicles, at least for the time being. Some states may explore their own legislation, while trucking companies that already use the devices may continue to do so voluntarily.

For safety advocates, the fight isn’t over. Their push for speed limiters reflects a broader effort to reduce speed-related deaths and improve roadway safety for both truck drivers and the public.

Why is speeding particularly dangerous for trucks?

Speeding is especially dangerous for trucks because their size and weight magnify every risk that comes with going too fast. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is more than 20 times the weight of an average passenger vehicle. That means when a truck is speeding:

Stopping distance increases dramatically: Even under ideal conditions, a big rig traveling at highway speeds takes hundreds of feet longer to stop than a car. Adding extra speed increases the stopping distance, making it harder to react and avoid collisions.
Impact forces are much greater: The sheer mass of a semi-truck means higher kinetic energy at any speed. Speeding increases that energy and leads to more severe damage and injuries in a crash.
Maneuverability is reduced: Trucks already have slower steering responses and wider turning radiuses than cars. At higher speeds, these handling limitations make it harder for drivers to react to hazards.
Rollovers become more likely: Elevated speeds combined with sharp curves or sudden maneuvers can destabilize a truck’s high center of gravity.

How is negligence proven in speed-related truck accidents?

Negligence in a speed-related truck accident is proven by showing that the truck driver (or another responsible party) failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances, and that this failure caused the crash and resulting damages. In practice, that usually means gathering evidence to prove four elements:

Duty of care: Commercial truck drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely, follow traffic laws, and comply with federal and state trucking regulations.
Breach of duty: In a speed-related case, breach refers to the driver's excessive speed in relation to the prevailing conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit. A breach can also be proven if the driver violated Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which require safe speeds on curves, in adverse weather conditions, or when road conditions are hazardous, even if they were operating within the posted speed limit.
Causation: You must establish a connection between the excessive speed and the crash. This can involve accident reconstruction, skid mark analysis, dashcam footage, or expert testimony showing the crash would likely not have occurred or would have been less severe if the driver had been traveling at a safe speed.
Damages: You must prove that the crash caused measurable losses, such as injuries, medical bills, lost wages, property damage, or pain and suffering.

Common evidence in proving negligence in speed-related truck accidents includes:

Event data recorder (EDR) downloads from the truck, which can show speed at the time of impact.
Dashcam or surveillance video capturing the truck’s movements.
Eyewitness statements about the driver’s speed or aggressive driving before the crash.
Police accident reports citing speeding as a contributing factor.
Physical evidence such as skid marks, debris field measurements, and vehicle damage patterns.

Our truck accident lawyers hold negligent drivers accountable

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, every day you wait gives the trucking company and their insurance provider more time to protect themselves, not you. At Pajcic & Pajcic, our truck accident attorneys have been fighting for crash victims for over 50 years. We know how to take on the largest trucking companies and their legal teams, uncover the evidence they’d rather hide, and build a powerful case that demands the justice and financial compensation you deserve.

During your free, no-obligation consultation, we will listen to your story, review your case, and outline a winning legal strategy tailored to your situation. You’ll also see why our results speak for themselves, including:

We proudly represent clients in Jacksonville, across Florida, and throughout the United States. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our legal team. The trucking company already has a legal team fighting on its behalf. It’s time for you to level the playing field and get our law firm in your corner.

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