Speeding is dangerous for any vehicle, but especially for a truck that may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. It’s already hard to stop that much mass quickly, and increasing the speed at which it is moving just extends those stopping distances.
But can truck drivers even break the speed limit? We know that many are paid by the mile, which gives them a clear incentive to speed, but is it even possible?
Yes and no
There are two things to think about here. First and foremost, some experts have noted that speed limiters are used on “the majority of trucks” in use in the modern industry. This helps to keep drivers in check.
Contrast this with the standard sports car, and the value is clear. The speed limits max out at 75 miles per hour in most of the country, so those with cars that can go 150-200 miles per hour have a lot of wasted range. There’s no point. Trucks avoid this by restricting the speed to the limit anyway.
The speed limiter can be set for a top end, but that doesn’t mean the limit on the road will always be that high. Say the truck is limited to 65 miles per hour. That’s fine on the interstate, but what happens when the truck ends up driving through a town with a 45-mph speed limit or going through a residential zone where the limit is set at 25 miles per hour? Clearly, that trucker still has the ability to break the law if he or she decides to do so, regardless of the limiter on the vehicle.
Did you get injured in an accident?
Most truckers are safe and responsible. They know the risks posed by large vehicles and they do everything they can to obey the laws, avoid accidents and keep people around them from harm. Trucking is a major industry in the United States, and they want it to work smoothly.
That said, there are accidents involving semitrucks every year. If you get injured in one of these accidents, it is critical for you to know what legal options you have.