Should Indiana Raise the Speed Limits For Semis & Big Trucks?

In Indiana, semis and large trucks weighing over 26000 lbs must drive at a lower speed than cars on rural interstates and highways. Typically, these vehicles have to drive 65 mph while all vehicles under that weight can drive 70 mph. According to IBJ, quoting the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there are only eight states that have a lower speed limit for semis on rural interstates and highways.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2020 alone, there were over 153 deaths as a result of semi or large truck accidents in Indiana, and of these, at least 17% can be directly attributed to the high rates of speed driven by the semi or large truck driver.

The law office of Craig, Kelley & Faultless handles cases involving semi-trucks, wrongful death, and other catastrophic injury cases throughout the United States. Managing partner David W. Craig, a lawyer who is nationally recognized for representing victims of semi and other commercial vehicle accidents stated, “It is harder to stop a semi-tractor trailer than a car or SUV because of their weight, tire composition, and because they use air brakes. Lower speeds give the semi-driver a little more time to slow their vehicle. I believe increasing the speed is more dangerous not less dangerous.”

Increasing the speed limit for large trucks increases the dangers for not only the average commuters on the highways and interstates but also the semi and large truck drivers themselves. The long hours and high demand for semi-drivers already naturally increase the urgency of their travels.

There is legislation that proposes to raise the speed limit for vehicles over 26000 lbs, like semis and other big trucks, to 70 mph. According to IBJ Daily, since 2017, six proposals, including this most recent bill, have been brought to the House for evaluation. The proposals’ author argues that lower speed limits make roads less safe due to the traffic backups they create. They argue raising the speed limit for semis is safer and will result in fewer wrecks and deaths.

Should Indiana raise the speed limits for semis & big trucks? What do you think?