“The coalition was in Washington D.C. today to lobby against the idea and was joined by former president of the New York State Sheriff’s Association, Don Smith. “Troopers, sheriff’s and police chiefs across the country are against this. These longer, heavier trucks are dangerous on our nation’s highway,” Smith told 7 Eyewitness News reporter Ed Reilly.” Read more+…
Central Illinois Proud: Local police chief fights against bigger tractor trailers
“Newer members of congress are pushing for an increase in weight limit and size of 18-wheelers. The maximum allowed weight as of now for trucks is about 80,000 pounds. Lawmakers want to move that limit up to 91,000 pounds. The increase in weight would cause trouble on the roadways, both for infrastructure and motorists. Bartonville Police Chief, Brian Fengel says that would cause issues on the roads. ” I’m looking forward to talking to new members of congress and members…
Peoria Journal Star (IL): Bartonville police chief to lobby against bigger semi trucks
“Some ideas that have gained traction in Congress are to require states to allow longer double-trailer trucks that are 17 feet longer than the current 53-foot single-trailer trucks, according to the Coalition Against Big Trucks, of which Fengel is a member. Another measure is to increase increase national truck weights from the standard 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. “Some of these trucks cannot clear intersections because their turning radius is too wide, while others have difficulty staying in their lanes.…
Times Observer (PA): Klakamp visits Pa. Congress to address larger trucks on roads
“The National Trooper Association, National Sheriff’s Association, and the International Chiefs of Police oppose longer trailers and heavier trucks,” Warren County Sheriff and President of the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association Ken Klakamp said. “The increase of longer trailers and heavier trucks was defeated in the last session of Congress but is expected to be raised with the new Congress. In the last congressional session it was a bipartisan defeat.” On Tuesday, Klakamp addressed members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation and met with Congressmen…
Columbus Dispatch (OH): Police chiefs oppose plans for bigger freight trucks
“Our police chiefs oppose bigger trucks because they must protect the public, law-enforcement officers and others who work in these areas of risk. When law-enforcement officers patrol the highway, they are forced to contend with winter weather just like other motorists. Officers face enough dangers already and do not need bigger trucks in bad weather added to the traffic mix. Then, when working on the roadside for a crash scene or disabled vehicle, officers deal with snow, wind gusts and…
Pleasonton Express (TX): Mayor’s Message
“The legislature is in full swing in Austin and it has been brought to my attention that there is a bill or two that will be filed concerning the increasing of weight of commercial trucks from the current 80,000 lbs. to 100,000 lbs., which is an increase of 10 tons. I am totally against any such increase for the following reasons: trucks with this weight will increase the danger to motorists, increase the damage to our streets, highways and bridges,…
Reading Eagle (PA): Guest op-ed: Bigger trucks bad news for U.S. Highways
“Heavy commercial trucks, in spite of their positive purpose in moving freight, do great damage to our roadways. It takes almost 10,000 cars to do the damage a single 80,000-pound truck can do. Berks County has had an explosion of warehouses along the Interstate 78 corridor, and even though that’s a positive sign of commerce, it comes with some serious negatives — including quicker deterioration of our roads along with some horrifying accidents involving big trucks. Recently there was a…
Dispatch Argus (IL): Bigger trucks put Illinois motorists at risk
“Here in Bartonville, our residents use I-474 on a daily basis. Most concerning for us as law enforcement professionals is McKinley Avenue and the trucks that get off the Interstate to head south on US-24. These vehicles pass through the heart of our commercial district, a block from our grade school and right along the front yards and driveways of dozens of homes. It’s not hard to identify specific issues we’ve had with semi-truck traffic. On Dec. 6 a school…
Lincoln Journal Star (NE): Local view: Say not to longer, heavier trucks
“However, as president of the Nebraska State Troopers Association, my focus right now is on other aspects of the holiday rush, including the safety of our motorists as they travel our roadways to and from the stores. It is already dangerous enough on the highway this time of year, with winter weather compromising driving conditions. That is why I am deeply troubled with proposals in Washington, D.C., that would allow longer and heavier tractor-trailers on Nebraska roads. One group of…
Dallas Morning News: Bigger rigs mean bigger risk on congested Texas highways
“At the most basic level, heavier and longer trucks will tend to make accidents more severe. Longer double trucks are more difficult to pass in many situations, such as while merging into moving traffic or during a rainstorm as they splash water onto cars’ windshields, and they have a longer stopping distance than the double trailers they would replace. Heavier trucks tend to wear out their safety equipment sooner — vital safety equipment such as brakes and tires. Over the past few years, lobbyists for…