Minnesota Trucking Association asks Congress to mandate 65 mph speed limit

Minnesota truckers want Congress to establish a 65 mph speed limit for all vehicles to save on fuel.

The Trucker News Services

5/30/2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. —  The Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) has issued a letter to the state's federal delegation calling on Congress to swiftly enact federal legislation establishing a maximum 65 mile-per-hour speed limit for all vehicles.

"Record diesel fuel prices have trucking companies scrambling for fuel savings wherever they can find it," said MTA President John Hausladen. "Through practical experience and voluntary efforts, we know that reducing maximum vehicle speeds to 65 mph saves money and fuel. Just as importantly, reducing the speeds of all vehicles will make our roads safer."

Trucking industry studies show that vehicle fuel efficiency decreases 0.14 mpg for every additional mile above 65 mph.

In addition, a recent study estimated that more than 2,900 lives may be saved per year with a nationwide speed limit of 65 mph or less.

Following repeal of the national maximum speed limit in 1995, an insurance industry study found states that increased speed limits to 70 mph experienced a 35 percent increase in the number of highway deaths per million vehicle miles traveled. States that increased speed limits to 75 mph experienced a 38 percent increase.

"Congress can’t solve all of our problems, but enacting a new maximum speed limit of 65 mph is something it can do in the next 30 days that can make a positive difference," said Hausladen.

In the same letter the MTA also called upon Congress to expand environmentally-sound domestic oil drilling and refining capacity, remove the 12.5 percent federal excise tax on idle reduction technology such as auxiliary power units, cease acting as a buyer in the fuel market by adding to the strategic petroleum reserve, establish a single, national diesel fuel standard, and reject temporarily suspending the federal fuel tax.

MTA is a nonprofit trade association that has been representing the interests of the state’s motor carrier industry since 1932. It has more than 700 member companies.