What is the Speed Limit for Truck Drivers?

Anyone that’s ever driven on the highway knows that driving next to a tractor-trailer can be a little nerve-wracking. The large trucks create a pocket of air around them that messes with other vehicles, and when you’re merging onto the highway and a big truck is coming up into your merge lane that can be a little scary as well. But what about when a truck driver is going too fast? Are there limits that truck drivers have to adhere to? What is the maximum speed that they are allowed to drive?

In this FAQ, Gary details the different laws that govern truck speeds, and how truck drivers are supposed to operate their vehicles. Because of the inherent danger involved with a big truck on the road, truck drivers have to be more careful and conscious of the choices they make while driving. If you’ve been in an accident involving a truck driver and you think they may have been operating the truck unsafely, give our Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Louis a call. We can be reached at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222. We don’t charge any fees for our consultations, and we never charge any attorneys fees unless we win your claim.

What is the Speed Limit for Truck Drivers?

Tractor Trailers aren’t like normal vehicles. They’re massive, and they can carry up to 80,000lbs. This means that when they are in motion, they have a tremendous amount of force behind their forward momentum. This means they can’t stop quickly, turn quickly, or react instantly in the event of an emergency or drastic change in road conditions. So naturally, because these trucks are so large and have such an immense amount of force behind them they have to follow, by law, regulations that determine how fast they can drive and how long they can drive. In Missouri, this means truck drivers cannot exceed 70MPH while driving.

At 70MPH, a tractor trailer is still going to have a difficult time reacting to any emergency situation on the highway, so it’s always important to give any truck driver as much room as possible. If you find a truck driver exceeding 70MPH, try to slow down and let them go by you. They are breaking the law, and doing something incredibly dangerous. It’s far more safe to just let the truck driver get in front of you so that you aren’t in a dangerous position if they make an error while driving. Remember, these trucks carry massive amounts of weight and the force behind these trucks is going to be incredible. It’s better for you and your family to be safe and arrive a little later than try to have a speeding match with a dangerous driver and vehicle.

How Fast can truck drivers drive?

Every state is going to have different speed limits for their truck drivers, though for the majority of states the speed limit is going to be around 70MPH. This helps keep the road safe for everyone. If you’ve been involved in an accident that happened because a truck driver was driving too fast, you may have a personal injury claim that you can pursue. If you have any questions about other laws regarding truck driving, what you can do about your claim, or if you would like an experienced Truck Accident Lawyer to take on your claim, call or contact our team now at 314-542-2222 or 618-272-2222.

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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