Trucking Associations Petition NHTSA to Limit Speed of Large Trucks to 68 MPH

The American Trucking Association recently petitioned the National Highway Safety Administration to limit the maximum the maximum speed of trucks at the time of manufacture to no more than 68 miles per hour.  ATA also petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to prohibit the tampering of speed limiting devices (known as limiters or goverenors) or their adjustment to allow speeds greater than 68 milers per hour.  A large amount of the federal truck safety budget goes towards preventing driver fatigue and ensuring safe equipment; while the industry supports these efforts, the group said speed is a more significant factor in crashes involving trucks than any other factor currently receiving funding.  “The trucking industry is trying to do its part with this initiative.  No vehicle should be capable of operating at excessive speeds on our nation’s highway,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves.  NCSL has not taken a position relative to ATA’s initiative but supports a continued federal role in setting national performance and safety goals and believes safety programs should be expanded to incorporate emerging safety issues; NCSL Transportation Safety Policy can be  located at http://www.ncsl.org/statefed/transportation.htm#transsafety. 

Continuing Resolution Leaves Many Projects In Financial Limbo, Oberstar Tells Congress

Congressional use of a continuing resolution for transportation spending does not provide the certainty that state departments of transportation need to plan for construction projects in the upcoming season, incoming House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) told Congress Dec. 8. In speaking on H.J. Res. 102, a joint resolution making further continuing appropriations, Oberstar said the action postpones highway and transit spending increases authorized under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). "The Republican-led Congress' failure to enact this legislation in a timely manner will shortchange funding for critical transportation projects," Oberstar said in a floor statement. "Transportation projects are usually high-cost undertakings that take several years to complete. Certainty in funding--especially federal funding--is critical to their success." The fiscal year 2007 transportation appropriations bills was one of several left undone by Congress in 2006. Instead, transportation activities will be funded at FY 2006 levels up to Feb. 15 under the resolution, approved by the House Dec. 8. The Senate approved it early Dec. 9 and the president signed it Dec. 9. The House approved its transportation appropriations bill in June, but a similar measure never reached the Senate floor after clearing the Senate Appropriations Committee in July.

U.S. Highways Usage Hits Record High In Latest Transportation Department Study

Travel on U.S. highways climbed to a record high of nearly 3 trillion miles in 2005, according to a study released Dec. 12 by the Transportation Department. "Highway Statistics 2005," an annual compilation of data reported to the Federal Highway Administration by U.S. states and territories, found that 2.989 trillion vehicle miles traveled represents a 27.4 billion mile increase over travel in 2004 and nearly 25 percent more than in 1995. "These figures underscore the importance of our efforts to fight traffic congestion," said Transportation Secretary Mary Peters in a press release. "It is clear that our ability to keep traffic moving smoothly and safely is key to keeping our economy strong." The study found that there were 241.2 million vehicles registered in the United States in 2005, including 6.2 million motorcycles--the most ever recorded in both categories. The "Highway Statistics" series, which consists of statistical data on motor fuel, motor vehicles, driver licensing, highway-user taxation, as well as state and local government highway finance, has been produced each year since 1945.  

Fall Forum Presentations from San Antonio Fall Forum Now on NCSL Website

Check out the Transportation Committee sessions and the presentation given at NCSL’s  Fall Forum in San Antonio, Texas at http://www.ncsl.org/standcomm/sctran/tranforumpres1206.htm.  The Transportation Leaders Meeting sessions overview, presentation and handouts can be found at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/tranleaderspres1206.htm.