Latest News

Thursday, Georgia’s House Transportation Committee voted 18-11, advancing a House bill increasing the weight limit of large trucks from 80,000 pounds to 90,000 pounds. 80,000 pounds is currently the same as the federal limit on interstate highways. After a five-and-a-half hour hearing, despite a furious counterattack from the Georgia Department of Transportation, the bill advanced to the full House. “The fact is allowing heavier weights on the highways and bridges shortens the lifecycle of our bridges and pavements,” Meg Pirkle, the…

But GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said while he supports farmers, loggers, and truckers, Georgia’s highways are not built for 90,000-pound trucks, and most non-interstate bridges aren’t rated to carry them. “The simple fact is our bridges in the state are not designed to hold this additional weight. In fact, 97% of the bridges in Georgia are designed to hold 80,000 pounds or less,” McMurry said. And then there’s safety. Steve Owings founded a highway safety organization after a speeding truck…

ATLANTA — More than 100 local government leaders across Georgia signed a letter asking legislators to oppose a bill that would increase the weight of heavier trucks across Georgia. House Bill 189 would increase the weight of semi-trucks to 90,000 pounds, which would add five tons to the current 80,000-pound limit. Heavier trucks would only be allowed to drive on state and local roads because the maximum weight on interstates is 80,000 pounds. The letter details the safety and maintenance…

“In Pennsylvania, so far support has been given from The Sheriff’s Association, PA Chiefs of Police Association, PA State Troopers Association, PA Fire and Emergency Services Institute, PA Municipal League, PA State Association of Boroughs and PA State Association of Township Supervisors. Earlier this month, the city of Altoona signed on in support of CABT, and Tuesday, the Centre County Commissioners joined them, noting the possible dangers in our area”   Read More+  …

“For several years lawmakers at the state and federal levels have debated legislation calling for longer and heavier trucks. Recently, OOIDA and the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks put out a survey asking members to share their thoughts.”    …

“A specific safety issue that Sheriff Smith is concerned about is “bigger trucks.”  As a Law Enforcement Board member of the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT), the Sheriff pointed out that CABT is not against trucking or trucks, it is focused on truck safety and keeping everyone on our nation’s highways safe. In the 1990’s there were big trucking companies that were trying to change the laws on truck safety, for example, truck weight or the overall length of the semi-trailer.” Listen to…

“The March 2022 survey of professional truck drivers found that 68% of respondents felt that heavier or longer truckers would make it more difficult to recruit or retain truck drivers,” the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks wrote in a news release. “Only 1% thought it would make it easier.” Read more+…

“In the wake of the recent collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, more than 140 local government leaders have signed a joint letter asking the General Assembly to oppose any increases in the allowable weight of tractor-trailers on state roads and bridges.” Read More Here+…

“We have the third-largest number of state-owned bridges in the country, with over half over 50 years older,” the officials wrote in the March 8 letter. “More than 3,100 of these bridges have been determined to be in ‘poor condition,’ the same rating assigned to the Fern Hollow bridge. “Allowing even heavier trucks than are legal today would only make the current situation worse” Read more here+    …

View the video here…