Less-than-truckload giant Yellow Corp. announced a highway safety initiative to push for a nationwide 65-mph truck speed limit.

According to Yellow President and CEO William Zollars, speeding trucks give the trucking industry a black eye. Federal statistics show excessive speed is a contributing factor in 30 percent of truck accidents. His company will work to build a consensus for a 65-mph truck speed limit among trucking leaders and state legislators. He notes that right now, “states are all over the map when it comes to truck speed limits,” with some states allowing trucks to run as high as 75 mph, while six limit trucks to 55.
Yellow Transportation’s trucks are governed at 62 mph, Zollars says. “Running at 62 mph has had no effect on our on-time performance. You don’t need to go really, really fast to live in a just-in-time environment. What you need is a disciplined network.”
Zollars hopes to gain the support of major truckload carriers that limit their tractor speeds to 65 mph or less.
In addition, Yellow will work to change regulations it believes hamper safety efforts. For instance, some states require police officers to conduct an inspection every time they pull over a truck, which could dissuade officers from simply pulling a truck over to write a speeding ticket.
In addition, Yellow will launch an advertising campaign to promote seat belt use and combat aggressive driving.
Yellow’s message goes further than the American Trucking Associations’ efforts. Earlier this year, ATA officials called for better enforcement of existing speed limits for both cars and trucks.