Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/522363
VOICES 4 | Overdrive | June 2015 T exas stands alone in legaliz- ing an 85-mph speed limit, which is has on a short stretch of highway. Writing in an op-ed published in April in the Dallas/ Fort Worth-area Star-Telegram, Texas Trucking Association president John D. Esparza urged state lawmakers to consider the question above. Esparza cited research on Texas car-truck col- lisions that showed "of all the fatalities in Texas during the past fi ve years," representing almost a third of fatalities nationwide, "trucks were involved in about 14 percent and found at fault less than 4 percent of the time." Esparza's piece also campaigned for speed-governing heavy trucks. His state association is part of the American Trucking Associations, which advocates speed-limiter use and a 65-mph national speed limit for all vehicles. While majorities of Overdrive readers have shown no favor for either measure, they're less equivocal on the national speed limit, and many recognize the reality that increased speed limits can be a safety hazard. This is particularly so given the on-highway interactions they encourage between trucks and four-wheelers. Here's reader Norman Ott, crack- ing wise under a recent story about South Dakota's rise to 80 mph for its maximum speed limit, joining Wyoming, Utah and Idaho: "Most fl eet trucks are limited to 65 or so, VOICES SPEED LIMITS: 'HOW FAST IS TOO FAST?' COMMERCIAL TIRE SPEED LIMITATIONS In the wake of South Dakota's April Fool's Day switch to 80 mph as the top speed limit for vehicles running its I-90 and I-29 corridors, tire manufac- turers reiterated for Overdrive the lower maximum speed ratings on most of their tires – 75 mph. Before you take advantage of any top truck speed limit above that, know that long periods running above the max speed builds more heat, which accelerates wear — which ultimately could result in tire failure. Most auto tires are max-speed- rated much higher. Bridgestone says that most of its long-haul tires carry a speed rating of 75 mph, though some have a speed rating of 82 mph. Michelin spokesperson Tony Foulad- pour likewise says most of his com- pany's on-highway heavy-duty tires are rated at 75 mph, with some being rated up to 81 mph. "Michelin provides commercial customers and fl eets very specifi c and detailed information on the speed rating as it relates to tire pressure, proper wheels and load capacity — all of which are important factors when it comes to tire safety at any speed," Fouladpour says.