Maximum Truck Speed

[jteamomaha]

I know this always raises a lot of controversy, but I need some outside opinions on this matter. I live in Arizona where the posted speed limit is 75 MPH for all vehicles. My company has turned it's maximum truck speed down to 62 MPH in what they claim to be an effort to save fuel. We were only 65 to start with, but here's the predicament. Back in the mid 90's the State of Arizona did it's own study that concluded that you're 3 times more likely to be involved in an accident when there's a wide variance speed in vehicles on the interstate. They attribute this to excessive braking and evasive manuevering trying to get around these vehicles. I've noticed that we are causing some extensive jam-ups at times on I-10 between here and Tucson on a routine basis. It takes awhile to get them cleared out. I have also noticed that I'm spending more time in lower gears when climbing small hills, ones I usually pulled in high gear. I understand the need for fuel savings, but it seems that I'm burning more, or is it just my imagination? My biggest concern is the safety factor. Would anyone else agree? Any and all comments welcomed.......

[Syncrosonix]

sounds like you drive for the same company as i, and based out of the same terminal. at any rate, i agree that being knocked down to 62 seems haphazard, but who am i to complain? i'm only a company driver. if i want to go faster and be responsible for my own fuel consumption, i should become and o/o. no, i enjoy not having to pay for my own fuel, so i must bite the bullet. there are many companies out there who are turning down their trucks.

in arizona, did you know that enterprise rent-a-car keeps their vehicles governed at 70mph? i have an old friend who works at the ghetto-tastic one at camelback & 7th ave or street. i cannot remember which 7th it is.

at any rate, if somebody hits you, it's their freaking problem.

[Uturn2001]

It is possible that in your truck you could be using more fuel at 62 than you were at 65. Every truck, even those spec'd exactly alike, have a "sweet spot" where they get the best fuel economy. Also a driver's style of driving will effect fuel economy. You might get 6.5 mpg in your truck and another driver might get 7 mpg or 6 mpg if s/he were to drive it.

Trucking companies however do not make decisions based on one truck. They do it based on the fleet and fleet wise the 62 may be saving them money.

[Malaki86]

West Virginia's interstates are 70mph. My company is based entirely in WV. Our top speed is 62mph. It hasn't affected me in the least. Like was posted earlier, if someone hits me in the back because they're not paying attention, I just hope for their sake that they have really good insurance. My time off from work and the companies rig aren't cheap.

[JeffTheTerrible]

if i want to go faster and be responsible for my own fuel consumption, i should become and o/o. no, i enjoy not having to pay for my own fuel, so i must bite the bullet.

You took the words right out of my mouth with that one.

[Syncrosonix]

if i want to go faster and be responsible for my own fuel consumption, i should become and o/o. no, i enjoy not having to pay for my own fuel, so i must bite the bullet.

You took the words right out of my mouth with that one.

is that a good thing or bad? :?

[JeffTheTerrible]

In this case, I would probably remain a bit neutral in assessing it as either good or bad. I'm simply stating that you posted exactly what I had thought when I read the first post in this thread.

[jteamomaha]

Yeah guys, I get it. If I wanna buy my own fuel be an owner/operator etc. etc., my question was, is it really safe?? My point was I seem to be burning more fuel, is there really a savings?? I'm not complaining at all, we're paid for every minute we're on the clock, and at that speed, we are on the clock longer. Some of the locals here are complaining about slow trucks impeding traffic on the freeways. If it keeps up there will be legistlation about being only in the right lane, which is where I am mostly anyway. Just don't want to see us turn into another California......

[Uturn2001]

Is it safe: Yes, is it the safest way to go, no.

No matter what trucks do or don't do, no matter how fast they can or can't go you will hear complaining from the 4 wheelers. The trucking industry is in a no win situation when it comes to making the general public happy.

[BigDiesel]

Is it safe: Yes, is it the safest way to go, no.

No matter what trucks do or don't do, no matter how fast they can or can't go you will hear complaining from the 4 wheelers. The trucking industry is in a no win situation when it comes to making the general public happy.

Uh..... Mr. Mom... When was the last time you actually drove a CMV ???

[golfhobo]

Is it safe: Yes, is it the safest way to go, no.

No matter what trucks do or don't do, no matter how fast they can or can't go you will hear complaining from the 4 wheelers. The trucking industry is in a no win situation when it comes to making the general public happy.

Uh..... Mr. Mom... When was the last time you actually drove a CMV ???

And how is THAT relevant?? There are several posters on this site who are "retired" from trucking. Do they somehow immediately forget everything they ever knew about trucking on the day they park it? :shock:

Must they also surrender their right to give opinions at that same time?

If so..... just WHEN is it that YOU plan to retire?

[ironeagle_2006]

Like me who REMEBERS WHEN Scheinder was at 55 Swift at 57 JB at 58 Transport America at 62. Those days that if fuel keeps going up WILL BE HERE again. Back then we called the Drag race when JB pulled out to pass Swift or Swift pulled out to pass the great Pumpkin. The LTL's were all at 59 or less. Try having a truck that ran the speedlimit out west or across TX at 65 when they were a split speed and then having to pass those companies. Yes I may not have driven in almost 8 years however I still have kept current on the DOT regs Big Diesel. Back then you did not need a CBI from hell for a Haz-mat Endorsement you took the test passed it and got it. BTW guys that was less than 10 years ago when all those companies were that slow.

[BigDiesel]

Like me who REMEBERS WHEN Scheinder was at 55 Swift at 57 JB at 58 Transport America at 62. Those days that if fuel keeps going up WILL BE HERE again. Back then we called the Drag race when JB pulled out to pass Swift or Swift pulled out to pass the great Pumpkin. The LTL's were all at 59 or less. Try having a truck that ran the speedlimit out west or across TX at 65 when they were a split speed and then having to pass those companies. Yes I may not have driven in almost 8 years however I still have kept current on the DOT regs Big Diesel. Back then you did not need a CBI from hell for a Haz-mat Endorsement you took the test passed it and got it. BTW guys that was less than 10 years ago when all those companies were that slow.

Since you claim to be current on today's regs..... What is the regulation for " Driving in to a lake with a super-secret haz-mat load ????"

I cannot find that regulation in the little book or the web.....

[GMAN]

Several studies have been done that found that variances between trucks and 4 wheelers are more dangerous than if all traffic traveled at the same speed. It has been several years ago, but I believe the American Automobile Association was one of those agencies which did a study on this. In addition, I believe Ontario or one of the Canadian provinces did a study with the same conclusion. I think Virginia also did a study which supports the other two. That is one reason why I was really surprised that Canada would push for split speed limits between trucks and cars. From a safety standpoint, it doesn't make any sense. There must have been a lot of palms greased to get it passed.

From the carrier's point of view, several have lowered the speed on their company trucks. It is their right since it is their property. If they lower the speeds too low then they will present a hazard to traffic. I think all vehicles should be able to do the speed limit in every state in which they travel. Of course, that is one reason several of the large carriers want to force all companies to limit their trucks. They want to minimize the dissatisfaction with the lower speed limits. If all trucks are traveling at the same speed then there would be no reason for drivers to switch to companies who have faster trucks.