Resistance to a new law restricting large trucks to 105 km/h on the 400-series highways is difficult to understand, considering highway safety issues, the cost of fuel and the fact the new top speed is still five km/h above the posted limit.
Still, that wasn’t enough to stop truckers, mainly independents, from planning a protest convoy to Queen’s Park earlier in the week.
The industry appears divided on new rule, with independent truckers lining up on the opposing side and major trucking companies supporting the idea. Many of the large trucking companies already have ‘limiters’ installed in their vehicles, which govern speed.
The Ontario law requiring operators of tractor-trailers to install limiters came into being on Jan. 1. Quebec is the only other province to similarly enforce a lower speed limit for trucks than other vehicles.
In fact, the push for the measure began in 2005 when the Ontario Trucking Association started to lobby for mandatory limiters.
The logic for slower truck speeds seems obvious: the slower the truck moves, the less likelihood of serious accident. But truckers opposed to the legislation are not alone. Many provinces oppose the restrictions, citing safety concerns in a federal report on limiting truck speeds.
The report, prepared for Transport Canada by the University of Waterloo, says lower speeds can actually present safety concerns by reducing the ability of trucks to maneuver in heavy traffic situations.
However, if truckers are following basic rules of the road, including proper lane changes and keeping safe distances between vehicles, the need for ‘agile’ maneuvering is surely reduced.
Traffic already seems to be flowing at a slower rate on the highways, thanks in part to the 50-over street racing legislation, so setting truck traffic at 105 is part of an emerging trend.
Going slower will save on fuel costs, reduce the likelihood of speeding tickets, and, according to one local trucking firm, won’t unduly impact delivery schedules. And it will make the highways safer. It’s a good idea.
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