Speed Limiter Regulation Push on in Canada

(Akron/Tire Review) In a move that may have far-reaching effects on the entire North American trucking industry, a consortium of provincial trucking groups in Canada have joined forces to push for mandatory speed limiters on all commercial trucks traveling in that country – even those coming over the border from the U.S. or Mexico.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), which represents some 4,500 trucking firms in Canada, is taking a plan that would mechanically limit truck speeds to 105 km/h to provincial transportation ministers with an eye toward national regulation.

The move was spearheaded by the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA), which has a draft plan before the Ontario Ministry of Transport. The ministry was to make a decision in January, but has held off. OTA has promoted the idea based on road safety, fuel savings, insurance cost savings and direct economic impacts to truck fleets.

And, Ontario speed limiter supporters have said that no matter which way the rest of the country goes, Ontario will press ahead with its own limiter scheme, which would effectively impact all of Canada.

Sitting in sharp opposition is the Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada, which has submitted data concerning the potential impact on smaller trucking outfits to Ontario ministry. U.S. and Mexican groups have not reacted to the potential national regulation.