Speed limiter battle not over; OOIDA to mount legal challenge

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. — The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) says it plans to file a formal Notice of Intent to challenge the legality of Ontario’s speed limiter law.

The notice will be filed as soon as the new law, which will mechanically limit the speed of all trucks operating in Ontario to 105 km/h, is officially implemented, OOIDA announced in a press release.

“We are vigorously pursuing all appropriate legal remedies to protect the right of truckers, big and small, to compete fairly and safely across international and provincial borders,” said Rick Craig, director of regulatory affairs with OOIDA.

The group says it has sought legal counsel in Canada and it feels confident it can mount a successful challenge of the legislation.

“We did this as soon as it became apparent the government had no intention of seriously considering reason and sound science in the debate. We have established the basis for those challenges,” said Craig.

OOIDA argues that the new law creates an impediment to interprovincial and international trade by restricting access to trucks from other regions that don’t have speed limiter laws of their own.

“We believe the new law discriminates against US-based companies as well as Canadian trucking companies based outside of Ontario by restricting their ability to operate freely throughout Canada,” added Craig. “The reasons given by proponents for passing the bill were nothing more than a red herring and will infringe upon the rights of all extraprovincial truckers who want to pursue their livelihoods to operate throughout Canada.”