Washington, DC – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) today announced its strong support for the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act. The legislation was introduced by Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) to prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from promulgating any rule or regulation mandating speed limiters on large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The bill is a companion to legislation introduced by Representative Josh Brecheen (R-OK) earlier this year.
Speed limiting devices on large trucks have been proven to create unnecessary congestion and dangerous speed differentials among vehicles. This results in higher rates of vehicle interaction and higher crash rates.
“No one is more committed to safe highways than America’s truck drivers,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer. “We share the same goal as every motorist—arriving safely. But forcing trucks to operate below the speed of traffic makes roads less safe by creating speed differences and more risky interactions. We appreciate Senator Daines’ leadership in standing with truckers and working to protect all road users from the dangers of a one-size-fits-all federal speed limiter regulation.”
“Washington, D.C. bureaucrats should not be telling Montanans how or what to drive. Burdening our truckers, farmers, and ranchers with unnecessary speed limiter regulations would do nothing but cause congestion and higher crash rates. The DRIVE Act will help keep our trucks safe on the road as they support Montana’s economy,” said Senator Steve Daines (R-MT).
“The National Association of Small Trucking Companies thanks Sen. Steve Daines for leading the legislative effort in the Senate to prevent speed-limiter mandate regulation,” said David Owen, President, National Association of Small Trucking Companies. NASTC stands ready to work with him for its enactment. And we surely hope to see this in the next highway bill to codify its limits on bureaucrats!”
“Agricultural retailers and their farm and ranch customers depend on an efficient, safe transportation system. A federal speed limiter mandate will create unsafe road conditions and cause an increase in the amount of daily stress and pressure on commercial drivers faced to complete their work in a safe, efficient, and timely manner. ARA applauds Senator Daines for introducing this common-sense legislation that will continue to allow states to determine the top speeds on their roads and highways according to what they determine to be safest for specific state and local needs and conditions,” said Richard Gupton, Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Counsel, Agricultural Retailers Association.
“Cattle producers have full faith in our highly trained livestock haulers. Adding another piece of government-mandated technology to their trucks will make them less prepared to adjust to road conditions while actually making the roads less safe. NCBA is a strong supporter of the DRIVE Act and we appreciate Senator Daines supporting legislation that is backed by truckers and makes our road system safer,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera.
The DRIVE Act was introduced in response to an FMCSA rulemaking process announced in April 2022. The agency has received more than 15,000 comments on the proposal, the majority from truck drives expressing opposition.
Supportive Organizations
- Agricultural Retailers Association
- American Farm Bureau Federation
- Associated Equipment Distributors
- Mid-West Truckers Association
- National Association of Small Trucking Companies
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- North American Punjabi Trucking Association
- Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
- Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc
- United States Cattlemen’s Association
Additional Resources
- Letter to President Trump (1/16/2025)
- Congressman Josh Brecheen Reintroduces The DRIVE Act To Protect Ranchers, Farmers, and Truckers from Government Overreach
- Video: Speed Limiters 101
- University of Arkansas Study
- OOIDA Foundation Research
