According to the United States Department of Transportation (“US DOT”), a rule requiring that heavy trucks install and use a speed limiter may be in place as soon as October 2014.

In its March 2014 “Significant Rulemaking Report,” the organization states that it believes this rule will decrease the 1,115 fatal crashes that occur every year involving heavy trucks. The organization also stated that “the rule will have minimal cost, as all heavy trucks have these devices installed, although some vehicles do not have the limit set.”

The rule responds to petitions submitted from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and Roadsafe America. If issued, the rule would only apply to trucks weighing 26,000 pounds or greater that travel on roads with at least a posted speed limit of 55 MPH.