New laws for truck drivers set to take effect in 2012

Illinois passed a new law aimed at benefiting fleet management owners and revising truck driving safety regulations. The bill signed by Governor Patrick Quinn is schedules to go into effect at the beginning of 2012, expanding on similar legislation from 2009, Land Line Magazine reports.

Beginning in January of next year, truckers will be able to maintain the same speeds as other motorists on certain highways in the state. On many divided highways and rural interstate roads, the new universal speed limit will be 65 miles per hour.

Officials of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) say that the streamlined speed limits will improve trucking safety for everyone who uses the state's roadways.

Todd Spencer, the OOIDA's executive vice president, told the news source, "There is no scenario where a policy to set different speed limits would make any safety sense."

According to Trucking Info, other laws that have been put into action alongside the bill on speed limits. These include an increase in the freight weight allowed for trucks installed with auxiliary power units that improve trucker health and keep expenses low for business owners.

New laws for truck drivers set to take effect in 2012

Monday, August 1st, 2011