Denver Colorado Semi Accident Lawyers

Excessive speeding on the part of truck drivers puts everyone at risk on our nation's highways and roads. The American Trucking Association* (ATA), acknowledging the threat posed by speeding trucks, petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in October of 2006 to place a 68 mph speed limit on large trucks. The ATA also asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prohibit trucking companies and truck drivers from increasing the speed on speed limiting devices (governors) to over 68 mph.

ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said, “For the sake of safety, there is a need to slow down all traffic. The trucking industry is trying to do its part with this initiative. No vehicle should be capable of operating at excessive speeds on our nation’s highways.”

Creating Safer Highways

The ATA implemented these initiatives in order to reduce the number of speed-related accidents on our nation's highways. The ATA has also called for universal primary seat belt laws all in all 50 states, as well as increased initiatives to call attention to unsafe driving behavior on the part of motorists in relation to trucks.

Calling Attention to the Problem of Speeding Trucks

The ATA continues to call for more action on the part of the federal government in increasing highway safety by focusing attention on the part played by excessive speed in truck accidents. To date, most federal aid towards increasing safety in the trucking industry is focused on maintaining equipment, reducing driver fatigue, and preventing impaired driving. However, since research indicates speed plays a role in the majority of crashes, the ATA would like to see the government focus more attention and resources on this problem.

Contact Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC

If you have questions about the trucking industry and liability in truck-related accidents, contact personal injury attorneys at Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC today and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

*The American Trucking Association is the largest national trade group for the trucking industry. It is a federation of affiliated state trucking associations. It represents over 37,000 trucking and motor carrier members from every state and motor carrier classification in the United States.