Do I Need a Speed Limiter on My Truck in Ontario?
In January 2009, Ontario passed a law that required trucks to use speed limiters. A speed limiter is built into the electronic control module of most semi-trucks built in the early 1990s. It allows a company to program a speed barrier so that the truck driver cannot drive faster than a certain speed. The speed limit in Ontario is 100 km/h, or ~60 mph, which means that the truck's fuel injector receives only enough fuel to drive at that speed.
Why Do Trucks Need a Speed Limiter?
A study by Transport Canada showed that if speed limiters were enacted into law, they would provide the following benefits:
Which Trucks Need a Speed Limiter?
Not all trucks require a speed limiter. Older semi-trucks are exempt from this law. The law applies to trucks manufactured in or after 1995. The gross vehicle weight rating must be 26,000 lbs. or more. It must be a commercial vehicle with an engine controlled electronically. Vehicles exempt from speed limiters include buses, ambulances, mobile homes and motor cranes.
Common Concerns
Many truckers are concerned about the issues that a speed limiter can present. For example, limiting speed means that it will take longer for trucks to reach their destinations. Even going 5 km/h slower can increase travel time from Toronto to Windsor by 10 minutes. It can take 45 minutes longer for a truck in Toronto to get to Halifax. For a Toronto truck driver to get to Vancouver, the difference can be as much as two hours. This is a significant difference in the trucking industry, where deadlines need to be met and time is money.
Many truckers are also concerned that speed limiters will affect productivity. However, at the time the law was enacted, there were already numerous trucks with speed limiters. In fact, half of all trucks in Ontario already had speed limiters installed and this did not affect their ability to arrive at their destinations on time. In addition, limited speed reduces fuel consumption, which makes oil companies competitive. This actually helps the economy.
Sometimes truck drivers travel to areas where the speed limit is higher than 100 km/h. In these situations, the speed limiter can be shut off in order to allow trucks to go faster. However, many trucking companies still like to keep the speed limiter on to enhance safety and decrease fuel costs.
Get Quick Assistance with Your Truck Repairs
Truck drivers have deadlines to meet, which is why a flat tire or breakdown can be frustrating. That's why Truckers Assist is here to help you with your truck or trailer problems anytime, 24/7. Contact us to learn more about the services we provide.
Why Do Trucks Need a Speed Limiter?
A study by Transport Canada showed that if speed limiters were enacted into law, they would provide the following benefits:
- Reduced greenhouse emissions by 280,000 tons annually
- Savings of 100 million liters of diesel fuel per year
- Increased productivity of trucks by 6 percent
- Enhanced safety
Which Trucks Need a Speed Limiter?
Not all trucks require a speed limiter. Older semi-trucks are exempt from this law. The law applies to trucks manufactured in or after 1995. The gross vehicle weight rating must be 26,000 lbs. or more. It must be a commercial vehicle with an engine controlled electronically. Vehicles exempt from speed limiters include buses, ambulances, mobile homes and motor cranes.
Common Concerns
Many truckers are concerned about the issues that a speed limiter can present. For example, limiting speed means that it will take longer for trucks to reach their destinations. Even going 5 km/h slower can increase travel time from Toronto to Windsor by 10 minutes. It can take 45 minutes longer for a truck in Toronto to get to Halifax. For a Toronto truck driver to get to Vancouver, the difference can be as much as two hours. This is a significant difference in the trucking industry, where deadlines need to be met and time is money.
Many truckers are also concerned that speed limiters will affect productivity. However, at the time the law was enacted, there were already numerous trucks with speed limiters. In fact, half of all trucks in Ontario already had speed limiters installed and this did not affect their ability to arrive at their destinations on time. In addition, limited speed reduces fuel consumption, which makes oil companies competitive. This actually helps the economy.
Sometimes truck drivers travel to areas where the speed limit is higher than 100 km/h. In these situations, the speed limiter can be shut off in order to allow trucks to go faster. However, many trucking companies still like to keep the speed limiter on to enhance safety and decrease fuel costs.
Get Quick Assistance with Your Truck Repairs
Truck drivers have deadlines to meet, which is why a flat tire or breakdown can be frustrating. That's why Truckers Assist is here to help you with your truck or trailer problems anytime, 24/7. Contact us to learn more about the services we provide.
