A bipartisan Senate bill may soon affect thousands of truck drivers in California and across the country. The bill, Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019, was developed by a Democratic and Republican senator. It would require that all newly produced Class 7 and Class 8 trucks be installed with speed-limiting devices.
The bill would require that the devices be set at 65 miles per hour and that they must be used whenever the truck is in operation. If signed into law, it would extend the 65 mph rule to all trucks that are currently equipped with speed limiting devices. It would not require for Class 7 and Class 8 trucks that do not currently have the device to be retroactively fitted for them.
In a joint statement, the senators said that they believed the bill would make roads safer for all drivers by codifying a speed limiter rule that has been pending for over 10 years. Experts believe that it could help reduce truck accidents. Most trucks already have speed-limiting technology; the proposed bill would enforce their use. The bill has been endorsed by several safety groups, including Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and Road Safe America.
Truck accidents may be caused by drunk truck drivers, drivers who suffer from fatigue or drivers who are driving negligently. Negligent driving behavior may include speeding. These accidents can cause traumatic injuries that could result in costly medical bills, lost wages and permanent disability. A lawyer from a Costa Mesa truck accident injury compensation law firm may file a civil claim on behalf of those injured in the accident. The lawyer may work to show evidence that the driver’s negligent behavior caused the accident. If it can be proven, the injured parties might be able to collect damages.
