Trucking groups, others ask Trump to abandon speed limiters

Ccj Logo White Headshot

Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Jan. 20, 2025:

Coalition of groups urges Trump admin to ditch speed limiter rulemaking

More than a dozen associations on Thursday penned a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, asking that he abandon the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s rulemaking to mandate speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks.

The coalition consists of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, National Association of Small Trucking Companies, Western States Trucking Association, North American Punjabi Trucking Association, Mid-West Truckers Association and more.

The letter asks that Trump “take deregulatory action by indefinitely postponing, and ultimately rescinding the … proposed mandate for speed limiters on all heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).”

The associations said such a mandate “will be bad for road safety, driver retention, and supply chain performance.”

“In 2016, the Obama Administration initiated this rulemaking to restrict all heavy-duty commercial CMVs to a single top speed across the country,” the coalition’s letter said. “Upon assuming office in 2017, your Administration wisely removed this rulemaking from its regulatory agenda and took no further action. Unfortunately, in May 2022, FMCSA revived this mandate with a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, again proposing to limit heavy-duty CMVs to a single speed.”

This time, the group is asking that the Trump administration fully rescind the proposal rather than just shelving it.

The coalition claimed that a speed limiter mandate would:

  • Create dangerous speed differentials between CMVs and other cars
  • Make it more difficult for businesses to attract and retain professional drivers
  • Slow freight movement across the country

“In short, this mandate will be harmful for America’s truckers and small businesses, and it will be counterproductive to improving roadway safety,” the coalition said. “As you consider deregulatory action for your initial days in office, our coalition believes that stopping this mandate would be an ideal way to start.”

[Related: Regulatory update: AEBs, speed limiters, more expected in 2025]

ArcBest announces leadership updates

ArcBest (CCJ Top 250, No. 15) recently announced leadership and organizational updates to advance the company’s strategic priorities and drive sustainable, long-term growth. The updates are effective February 1, 2025.

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers

The leadership and organizational updates include:

  • Eddie Sorg, previously chief operating officer of asset-light logistics, has been named chief commercial officer and will lead several functions including marketing, sales, customer support, customer experience and yield. Sorg will be focused on optimizing workflows across teams to maximize revenue velocity. Aligning revenue-generating functions under one leader will provide a more unified approach to securing and seamlessly serving customers.
  • Christopher Adkins has been named chief strategy officer following his role as vice president of yield strategy and management. In his new role, he will oversee the company’s strategy management, data science and process improvement teams to advance ArcBest’s most critical initiatives.
  • Dennis Anderson will continue to serve as chief innovation officer following his appointment on Sept. 26, 2024. He will remain focused on innovation and technology initiatives that create efficiencies, address customer challenges, and unlock new revenue streams to accelerate growth.
  • Steven Leonard plans to retire in June 2025, following a 24-year career with ArcBest, and will continue to lead the company’s asset-light logistics operations through the transition period to his retirement.

Bulk Specialty Inc. expands transloading terminal

British Columbia, Canada-based Bulk Specialty Inc. has announced the completion of a $3.5 million expansion to its transloading terminal, aimed at increasing operational capacity, enhancing safety, and improving service for its customers.

The upgrades offer a 20% increase in railcar spots, expanding capacity to handle higher volumes; two brand-new high-speed loading racks; a state-of-the-art spill containment system and more.

As part of the project, additional safety features were incorporated across the terminal, ensuring the well-being of employees, carriers, and the surrounding community.

Further advancements include a new Transportation Management System (TMS) designed to eliminate BOL errors, reduce loading times, advanced reporting and streamline logistics operations. Looking ahead, carriers will soon have the capability to self-load directly from the racks, offering even greater efficiency and flexibility.

The expanded terminal is now fully operational and positioned to provide faster, safer, and more reliable service, the company said.

FMCSA moves toward improving safety for women truckers, trainees

An advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) has been sent to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget that would seek information from stakeholders regarding ways in which the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can enhance the physical safety of women truck drivers and trainees and address the negative impacts of workplace sexual harassment. 

The ANPRM would also seek information about ways in which FMCSA can enhance the safety of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

Typically, OMB has up to 90 days to review rulemakings, but that review period can be extended indefinitely by the head of the rulemaking agency, or the OMB director can extend the review period by up to 30 days.

The ANPRM will be the first step in potentially adding additional curriculum and training provider requirements to FMCSA’s entry-level driver training regulations.

Looking for your next job?
Careersingear.com is the go-to platform for the Trucking industry. Don’t just find the job you need; find the job you want with the company that wants you!