Every year, more than a thousand people are killed in crashes involving speeding tractor-trailers. Now, there's a plea from parents whose son was killed in a crash.
Steve and Susan Owings lost their 22-year-old son, Cullum, after his stopped car was crushed from behind by a speeding semi in Virginia. In 2003, soon after their loss, they founded the non-profit, “Road Safe America.” They want to prevent tractor-trailers from speeding in the first place.
They’re proposing every big rig in the country be required to use a speed limiting tool. It’s technology built into every semi, and it limits the truck's speed. Many trucking companies use something similar to this, but independent truckers often don’t.
Right now, the U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing this rule be applied to all new trucks. The problem is, semis already on the highway, aren’t required to use it.
"It's hard to believe anybody wouldn't agree with us on this, but what we hear is that some truckers oppose it because it's a pay issue for them because they are paid by the mile. So sadly, the farther and the faster they drive, the more money they can make," Susan Owings said.
Up until December 7th, the public can weigh in on the issue. Visit Road Safe America’s website to find the link.
