Report: Truck Speed Limiters Improve Highway Safety in Ontario

Speed-related, at-fault collisions involving large commercial vehicles fell by a whopping 73% after mandatory speed limiter legislation took effect in Ontario, according to a recent study by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

The year-long study conducted between 2014-2015 examined data from pre- (2006-2008) and post- (2010-2012) speed limiter legislation by using fatal, injury and police reported property damage collisions on high-speed highways. It also looked at MTO enforcement officers' large vehicle driver speed data, among other real-world data.

The Ontario Trucking Association, a strong proponent of mandatory speed limiters, said that although speed limiter opponents believed slowing down large trucks would lead to a dangerous speed differential and cause more collisions with passenger cars and other vehicles, the study concluded there is no evidence that has happened. “Moreover, the study also dispelled the myth that in a speed limiter environment, drivers adjust their driving behavior to compensate for any perceived time lost as a result of driving slower,” the OTA said in a release.

The percentage of truck drivers struck in the rear stayed the same from pre- to post legislation (10.03 % of total collisions 2006-2008 and 10.47% 2010-2012), while the rate increased for other drivers (18.6% 2006-2008; and 21.3% 2010-2012).

Going forward, the study suggests some recommendations to raise compliance and realize the full benefits of the speed limiters, including increased enforcement and enhancing the electronic control module readers available to enforcement officials.

The study could give ammunition to supporters of a proposed speed-limiter rule in the U.S. that appears to be stalled.

After a decade-long push by trucking and safety advocates, last August the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration jointly proposed a rule that would require that heavy-duty vehicles be equipped with speed-limiting devices — but did not lay out what speed they should be limited ...Read the rest of this story

Truck crashes down 73% in Ontario thanks to speed limiters: MTO study

Paul George is reportedly already recruiting players to a team he’s not even on yet

Paul George is the hottest trade target in the NBA at the moment, but from the sounds of it, he...

Kenworth, Peterbilt Dealers to Exhibit at North American Commercial Vehicle Show

Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers will represent the brands at the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show Sept. 25-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

The two Paccar-owned brands were the only North American heavy truck makers not exhibiting at the new show, instead opting to exhibit at the Mid-America Trucking Show last March.

“Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers understand that the NACV Show is the foremost North American gathering place for anyone involved in the business of commercial vehicles,” said Larry Turner, president and CEO of Hannover Fairs USA and co-organizer of the NACV Show. “Securing all the leading brands on the show floor to showcase their latest innovations reinforces our vision for this new and important industry event.”

The NACV show will be open to the press only on Sept. 24 and is open to exhibitors and their guests starting Sept. 25. General admission opens Sept. 26 and runs through the end of the show.

NACV is a new event being put on by North American Commercial Vehicle Show Partnership, owned half by Newcom USA, a subsidiary of Canada's Newcom Business Media, and Hannover Fairs USA, a subsidiary of Germany-based Deutsche Messe, which plans and stages trade fairs around the globe, including the big IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany.

“We expect North American fleet decision makers, leaders and influencers to convene at the show to not only learn about the newest and latest innovations from the leading manufacturers but to meet, network and conduct business onsite,” said Joe Glionna, president of Newcom and co-organizer of NACV.

Fleet decision makers can register to attend the North American Commercial Vehicle Show 2017 at attendee registration. To view the entire trade show floor, visit NACV Show 2017 floorplan. A current list of exhibitors is located here.

Related:

IMF cuts U.S. growth forecasts, cites Trump fiscal plan uncertainty

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its growth forecasts for the U.S. economy to 2.1 percent for both 2017 and 2018, dropping its assumption that President Donald Trump's tax cut and fiscal spending plans would boost growth. The IMF, after a review of U.S. economic policy, said the Trump administration was unlikely to achieve its goal of annual GDP growth of 3 percent over a sustained period, partly because the labor market is at a level consistent with full employment. The U.S. economy grew 1.6 percent last year.

Michelin launches new regional haul drive tire

Report finds FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System needs improvement