Commentary by Steve Smith

A split speed limit for cars vs. trucks and buses is just multiple accidents waiting to happen!  As a former Trucker I have been through many states that adhere to this policy.  Imagine a speed limit for cars of 70 mph but limited to 55 for trucks or buses.  A car sees a truck or bus ahead of him while doing 70 or more (most drivers push the speed limit by at least 5 mph if not more, sometimes relying on radar detectors to warn them of a speed trap coming up.  The driver assumes that the truck or bus is going about the same speed and the next action is to realize that the truck is traveling much slower, resulting in a jamming on of the car’s brakes and hopefully not rear ending the slower vehicle.  Also consider the cars traveling behind who see sudden brake lights ahead, also traveling at well over the posted limit.  The result can be a catastrophic multi vehicle crash BEHIND the truck or bus, but the chain reaction of the speeding cars can result in serious injury or even death.  Even if it’s only the one following car that rear ends a truck, the resulting decapitation by striking the rear of an 80,000 pound tractor trailer is FINAL, as is striking a 20,000 pound bus.  Truckers and Bus drivers are professionals by nature, drive for conditions, and are stringently monitored as to their accident records, their livelihood depends on it.  With a car driver, if they are living and breathing and can pass a vision test, they get a license to get behind the wheel of a 3,000 pound vehicle, only subject to points on their license if they are caught breaking a traffic rule.  REMEMBER, a car is not in any way a match for a bus or truck.  In any contest between a car and truck or bus, there is no doubt who will lose.

Just one other thought, if you can’t see the mirror of the big rig or bus, THEY CAN’T SEE YOU!  DRIVE ACCORDINGLY AND PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR TURN SIGNALS!

Thanks to Dale K of Severna Park for his suggestions of these photos.

Read some statistics HERE

From the Baltimore Sun, Saturday August 27, 2016, Page 13

U.S. pushing lower speeds on trucks, buses – Baltimore Sun