The Road Less Traveled; Governed Truck Speed

I am enjoying the slower speeds... It keeps me out of the traffic pack. Today I averaged about 55mph... A combination of windy conditions and road construction... But man IL, IN, KY are beautiful in spring.

RD, are you doing that route at night? Both Jamie and I want to drive in the west. If I was out there, I’d want to see the scenery.

Don’t take that wrong. Jamie and I have never met.

I did drive that route recently at night but last year with USX I drove it during the day. I got lucky earlier this morning. I drove until 10am and was able to catch some great scenery going through Arizona. It rained recently and everything was green!

62 mph is crazy. That makes for hazards driving when you can go the speed limit

62 mph is crazy. That makes for hazards driving when you can go the speed limit

Something doesn't make sense there. Re read that statement.

He is claiming that most of the country is 65mph and above. Therefore he believes the slower speeds are dangerous.

But i point out in my article that many parts of the country have limits of 55mph for trucks, combine that with hills, mountains, fog, snow, ice and construction, traffic, and all.of the back roads through towns.... seriously, I dont need to go above 60. I get big bucks bonus for fuel mileage, so what is the point?

62 mph is crazy. That makes for hazards driving when you can go the speed limit

Oh really? Care to elaborate? Cite you source?

I am governed at 65 on cruise and 62 on the pedal. My Interstate/Highway driving strategy is very simple...

When the weather is clear and traffic is light to moderate cruise is set at 63. This accomplished three basic things:

1- At that speed there is less of a tendency to mix-in with other traffic. Reduces the frequency of space management issues.

2- When approaching a slower vehicle I have an extra 2mph for passing reducing the amount of time in the left lane. If necessary I can bypass the governed 65 if I need a little extra to clear a longer line of slower traffic.

3- Better fuel economy.

Driving at 62 in a 65 zone or even a 70 speed zone, does not present undue risk if running in the right lane. That’s a shallow argument that has no teeth in support of eliminating the governor.

62 mph is crazy. That makes for hazards driving when you can go the speed limit

So what do you suggest? Allow all trucks do 65? Well what about interstates that allow you to do 70 or 75? Ok let's bump it to 75. Well guess what. You're still a hazard if you go to Texas where speed limit is 85. Alright, let's allow all trucks to do 85 so they're not a hazard. Oh crap, I just blew a steer doing 85. Now how big of a hazard are you? What do you suggest be done to not "be a hazard"?

GTown says:

“2- When approaching a slower vehicle I have an extra 2mph for passing reducing the amount of time in the left lane. If necessary I can bypass the governed 65 if I need a little extra to clear a longer line of slower traffic.”

I am governed at 63, 65 on cruise, and I actually like it. It eliminates worrying about getting a ticket most of the time for me.

I would like the passing option GTown mentioned though. I saw it in a Freightliner ad and thought it would be nice to eliminate this 12 mile long passing situations. Lol

62 mph is crazy. That makes for hazards driving when you can go the speed limit

Anything to back up your statement with? Experience? Driving safely at 60 mph for 11 straight hours, versus wide open at 65 mph equals less stress, better mpg, more safety, better options and is only 55 miles less in 11 hours. I’ll take the slower speed.