The regulatory landscape for fleet safety technology has seen a sudden and dramatic shift this year. In a move cheered by some industry groups, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) officially withdrew its proposed rule to mandate speed-limiting devices on heavy commercial vehicles in late July 2025. This decision, announced as part of a “pro-trucker package,” ends years of debate over a nationwide speed cap on vehicles over 26,000 pounds. Consequently, the responsibility for setting and enforcing safe road speeds remains firmly with individual fleet operators.

Why the Speed Limiter Mandate Was Withdrawn

The FMCSA’s decision, which canceled an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) from May 2022, was driven by both political will and industry opposition. Opponents, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), argued that limiting truck speed could create safety hazards. The concern was that forcing trucks to travel significantly slower than surrounding traffic would increase speed differential, thereby making highways less safe. Furthermore, they cited potential negative impacts on driver incomes due to reduced miles traveled. With the federal mandate off the table, fleet managers must re-evaluate their internal speed policies and leverage existing telematics to enforce safe driving speeds based on actual road conditions.

The Inevitable Rollout of Automatic Emergency Braking

While the speed limiter rule has been eliminated, another major technology mandate is proceeding. The final rule requiring Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems on new heavy trucks is still on the regulatory calendar, with a supplemental proposed rule expected for publication in late 2025. This joint FMCSA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standard will require AEB systems on new Class 3 and larger trucks. The goal is to detect crash-imminent situations and automatically apply brakes when a driver fails to respond.

AEB systems are projected to prevent over 19,000 crashes and save more than 150 lives annually. Therefore, this technology represents a significant leap forward in collision mitigation. Fleet operators should note the projected compliance deadlines: Class 7 and 8 trucks over 26,000 pounds must comply by 2027, while Class 3 through 6 vehicles must comply by 2028 (For a review of the AEB rule’s impact and deadlines, see: How AEB Requirements and 2025 Trucking Regulations Affect Virginia Accident Cases).

Preparing for the AEB Compliance Challenge

The AEB mandate is not just about installing new hardware; it requires a new approach to maintenance and driver training. AEB systems rely on complex sensors and electronic stability control (ESC) to function correctly. In addition, sudden activations, sometimes referred to as “phantom braking,” can occur, which may startle drivers and lead to secondary issues if drivers are not properly trained.

Fleet managers should prepare now by:

1. Prioritizing AEB when purchasing new vehicles.
2. Developing comprehensive training programs to teach drivers how AEB systems work, how to react to system alerts, and the importance of sensor maintenance.
3. Budgeting for increased maintenance and potential installation costs, which are estimated to be between $\$1,500$ and $\$3,000$ per vehicle.

Proactive preparation will ensure a smoother transition to this new safety standard, maintaining compliance and maximizing the life-saving potential of the technology.

Also read: Cargo Securement: Protecting Cargo and Preventing Hazards