Speed Governors

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Trucks we see on our highways are not all driving under the same management and safety control rules. Many fleets of trucks have their top speeds limited by a simple on board computer (speed governor) that limits the top speed the truck can achieve. This simply enables the truck driver to stop in a reasonable distance if an emergency were to occur.

All trucks manufactured in this country since 1992 come from the factory with a speed governor as standard equipment. Unfortunately, many truck companies and individual truckers do not use them. Legally, they are allowed to travel as fast as passenger cars.

Though it takes a fully loaded heavy commercial truck at least three times the distance to stop, high speed is considered a necessity for some truckers, especially since they are paid by the mile or the load. Speed, therefore, is erroneously considered a competitive advantage. According to companies that use the speed governors, not only are governed trucks safer, they are also more profitable due to saved fuel, longer lasting equipment (tires, brakes, etc.), and lower liability costs.