Truck Speed Limiter Law
Introduced in Ontario Legislature
Major Step Forward for Safety and
the Environment Says Ontario Trucking Association
(Toronto: March 19, 2008) – It was nearly two
and a half years ago that the Ontario Trucking Association first proposed the
idea of mandating the activation of speed limiters on heavy trucks that operate
into, out of and within the province, at a maximum speed of no more than 105
km/hr. So, the introduction of a bill today in the Ontario legislature by
transportation minister, Jim Bradley, to do just that was welcomed by OTA, whose
president, David Bradley (no relation to the transportation minister) called it
“a significant step forward for highway safety and for reducing greenhouse
gas emissions.”
A speed limiter is an electronic microchip that has
been installed on virtually every new heavy truck engine built since the
mid-1990’s and when set, acts as a “speed governor.” The
activation of speed limiters has been mandated in the European Union for well
over a decade and, according to OTA, at least half of the trucks currently
operating on Ontario’s highways have activated their speed limiters.
Quebec passed similar legislation late last year and is expected to co-ordinate
implementation with Ontario.
“It just makes sense,” says OTA’s
Bradley. ”Not only is there a direct relationship between speed and the
severity of crashes, but there is a direct pay-back in improved fuel efficiency
from operating at lower speeds and that in turn reduces costs and GHG
emissions.” OTA estimates substantive GHG emissions reductions perhaps on
the order of 280 kilotonnes per year.
According to Bradley, “truck drivers are the
least likely to be excessively speeding, but there are some who need to slow it
down and this technology will allow us to do that without putting a further
drain on police resources that would be better spent going after reckless
motorists and criminals.”
“We acknowledge that there are some in the
industry who oppose this measure, just like there were those who didn’t
like being told they must use seat belts or motorcycle helmets, despite the
obvious advantages,” he said. “However, in due course we are
confident that they too will see the benefit, especially to their bottom
line.”
The bill introduced today, is supported by a host of
safety and environmental groups as well as police services.
Bradley said he anticipates all-party support for the bill and “urges the Ontario Legislature to pass this legislation without delay.”
Bradley said he anticipates all-party support for the bill and “urges the Ontario Legislature to pass this legislation without delay.”
© 1995 -
2009, Ontario Trucking Association
555 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario
M9W
1H8
Tel: (416) 249-7401 | Fax: (416) 245-6152
Email:
info@ontruck.org