FERGUS, Ont. While widespread opposition to Ontario's controversial speed limiter law has mostly petered out, a small group of drivers is claiming the law can cause runaway trucks.
Under the guise of the Ontario Commercial Drivers Coalition, founder Scott Mooney issued a press release claiming there have been numerous instances in Ontario where the speed limiter law has caused trucks to accelerate out of control because drivers needing to downshift have been unable to increase engine RPM to do so while at the maximum engine speed setting.
"In order for a driver to be able to utilize the Jake Brake at its maximum slowing ability, uggs on sale the driver will need to change gears to a lower gear. If the vehicle has already exceeded the engines speed limiter setting before gearing down takes place, as the driver takes the truck out of gear to gear down, the speed limiter will not permit the driver to increase the engine RPM restricting the reengagement of the transmission," Mooney claims. "Once this happens, the truck will continue to accelerate out of speed control until it either reaches an incline, eventually slowing the truck, or by striking anything in the path of the truck."
Mooney said he has tried bringing the issue to Transport Minister Kathleen Wynne's attention but to ugg boots clearance no avail.
Those of you who are commenting on this have obviously not been following Mr. I started out as a warehouse worker for an employer in Kitchener, ON who will remain unnamed. They provided me with a great opportunity. After working for this company for 4 years they agreed to pay for my driver training. I took my training, did my driving test, and passed with flying colours. I started driving team immediately with my fellow drivers, then advanced to solo runs in little time. I am currently a member of Scoot Mooney's Facebook group, "Drivers Against Speed Limiter Legislation". One day I received a message in my inbox asking if any drivers had ever experienced a speed limiter issue while driving. I posted my personal experience. I have been driving now for 2 years and I have learned a lot from my fellow company drivers. How to, and not to drive a truck. But I have also experienced a couple situations where a speed limiter has interfered with my personal knowledge of how to drive a truck. Entering and negotiating a downgrade, being anywhere near another truck that blows a steer tire, sleepy truck drivers, and people who should just not be behind the wheel of a truck. Whether you agree with the speed limiter law or not, you as a truck driver know the true problems on our highways today. First of all there is not enough education for new drivers. Do you know who taught me to stay to the right, unless passing, on the highway? That's right, a truck driver, when I was 14 years old. How many trucks do you pass on the right these days? My favorite is the people who merge immediately to the middle lane when coming on the highway and then just drive 90km/h till they hit their exit, then fight to move over to the right through the people blowing by them at 105km/h. A speed limiter law has not stopped the speeding trucks, it has only congested the highways more. The people passing these laws are the problem. They have never even sat in a a truck I bet, let alone spend weeks at a time in one.
Posted April 21, 2010 03:31 AM
G. Paul Langman
WHOA. WHOA. WHOA. How come the speed limiters discussion brings out all the sillies in the industry? In the previous comments there are misunderstandings,silliness, and outright bull mixed with a few truths. I am not opposed to companies deciding to speed limit their own trucks. In fact if I owned a fleet of trucks they would certainly join the speed limited parade, but I should be able to decide how my fleet is governed based on decisions made by me, in conjunction with my insurer and where the trucks go and the type of work, etc. One of the issues is certainly the speed limits west of the Mississippi. Driving 105 in Nebraska for example is the equivalent of doing 85 on the 401. Think of it in those terms, those of you who like the 105 idea!
I have driven trucks with Jakes since 1987(and 10 yrs before that without), so I have some concept of how they work. Futhermore, for 4 yrs I drove for a speed limited fleet with Jakes. Mr. Mooney's concern about downshifting is theoretically possible, but in real life shouldn't be a problem. At the moment he refers to, at the very top of the hill, any kind of proper service brakes would be sufficient to bring things under control so the argument doesn't hold water.
As for the comments from others, some of you obviously have never or have seldom used Jakes. I don't agree with a lot of places drivers use them like parking lots and 50 km zones, but I use mine in all kinds of terrain including 401 and it has nothing to do with the sound. It makes good economical sense. Further more I have seen very few trucks in the eastern part of Can. or the USA, including 401 driving over 105 for a few years. Nobody can justfy the fuel costs.
I disliked the idea at first but am now used to them and besides 65mph is a good speed on our highways.
Now if you run a lot of USA then limiters are a different story.
Posted April 12, 2010 01:05 PMJake's are nice to have, but in Ontario?? How did we ever drive when there were no Jake Brakes. Maybe Old School driving should be taught instead! More concentration on driving than just making alot of noise to impress the guy beside you.
Posted April 12, 2010 06:59 AM
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