Schneider says it’s slowing to 60 mph

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Schneider National of Green Bay says it will save almost 4 million gallons of diesel fuel a year by slowing its trucks to 60 mph.

Company president Chris Lofgren announced the move Thursday in Washington where his lobbying group pushed for heavier and fewer trailers, and a nationwide speed limit of 65 mph.

About two-thirds of states let drivers go 70 mph or faster. Wisconsin is not among them.

According to the American Trucking Associations, big rigs burn 27 percent more fuel at 75 mph than at 65. Schneider’s 10,000-plus vehicles had already been limited to 63 while cruising.

Going down to 60 means longer work days for drivers, without a raise since they get paid by the mile. But Schneider says it won’t have a big effect.

It tested several hundred trucks at 60 last year – and they said the average workday was only 12- to 20-minutes longer.

The weight proposal generated a debate about safety. By allowing heavier loads, safety groups say there would be a bigger risk of fatal accidents.

Trucking companies say it would actually improve safety, by reducing the total numbers of rigs on the roads.

Truckers also say it would put a bite into global warming, by emitting less carbon dioxide.

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