&nb sp; Mandatory Truck Speed Limiters
Effective January 1st 2009 all trucks operating in Ontario are to have speed limiters set to 105 kph (kilometers per hour). Millions of dollars were spent on the research to enforce this new regulation. Millions more will be spent debating this issue.
ENVIROMENT: I agree with the environmental issues but it should involve all vehicles of fuel emissions, not just a targeted sector. Let’s look at a 2004 census of passenger vehicle versus commercial trucks from Transport Canada.
LIGHT VEHICLES: According to the 2004 Canadian Vehicle Survey, 17.7 million light vehicles were registered ( 10 provinces) accounting for 154 billion kilometers for cars and station wagons (54 per cent) and 128 billion for vans and light trucks (45 per cent). (http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/Report/anre2005/7D_e.htm)
HEAVY VEHICLES: In 2004, over 598,000 trucks (heavy and medium) were registered ( 10 provinces ) with a gross vehicle weight of at least 4,500 kilograms accounting for 24.7 billion kilometers. (http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/Report/anre2005/7E_e.htm)
Energy Use: A report from natural Resources Canada says that the road transport uses the most energy, accounting for 78.3 percent of total transportation energy use in 2004. Of this amount, 56.8 percent was passenger energy use and 43.2 percent was freight energy use.( http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/Publications/statistics/parliament05-06/chapter6.cfm?attr=0)
The way I read this is that there are 30 times more cars than trucks using 30% more energy and traveling 6 times more kilometers than commercial trucks.
Safety: This to me is a subject of great sensitivity and finger pointing. Safety is entirely the responsibility of the operator. The Ministry of Transport explained it perfectly as:
” Roads and signage are designed for maximum driver safety if the posted speed limits are observed. Speed limits are set based on scientific calculations of human capabilities (visual perception, reaction time, shock resistance) and vehicle performance (braking, adherence, etc.). The safety of road users is at risk if the speed limit is exceeded.” (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/trucklimits.shtml)
Notice the word “if”. This means it is up to the operator to observe the safety standards and to exercise due diligence to ensure the safe operation and control of their vehicle.
I truly believe that as long as passenger vehicles can do 160km, no amount of money, survey’s, government regulation or un-enforceable law will make our roads safer. What will make our roads safer is the fear of the law. Put more traffic enforcement in view of the road user on a daily basis to enforce the fear of violating the already in place traffic laws. Stop wasting money on useless surveys and new laws and spend that money to put more enforcement on our roadways.
SAVINGS: Yes I do believe lower speeds will save the consumer or fleet owner a good chunk of change in the end. The US government 2005 Fuel Economy Guide includes a plot showing the optimum between 50 and 55 mph for an unspecified vehicle. Other factors affect savings like tires and quality of maintenance as well.
It’s Just My Opinion: Speed limiters are useless unless they are applied to everything that is licensed for the road. If there isn’t enough law enforcement to enforce existing laws, new laws are a waste of time. On the commercial side of things, transport companies are losing money now and closing there doors. Will this added expense improve there bottom line since the majority of fleet trucks are governed already at 110 km.
Let’s better spend the money on driver improvement, better law enforcement, and fleet safety. An educated driver is your best investment.
Article Links:
Speed Limiters: The Law of the Land 2009
Written by: Sandra Baigent, CRM
(http://www.ebsafetyconsulting.com/pdf/Speed%20Limiters%20%20The%20law%20of%20the%20Land%202009.pdf)
Mandatory Truck Speed Limiters- (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/trucklimits.shtml) by the Ontario Ministry of Transport.
Heavy Truck Speed Limiter Reports-( http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safevehicles/motorcarriers/Speedlimiter/index.htm)
Tags: Speed Limeitertrucke Rtrucking
