The State (Columbia, SC) | Fatalities with semitrucks are way up on American highways. Don’t let them get bigger | Opinion

“Lawmakers are currently debating at least three legislative proposals promoted by large shipping companies that would allow heavier and more dangerous trucks on the roads. One proposal, H.R. 3372, would create a 10-year “pilot project” allowing 91,000-pound trucks on our roads – five and a half tons heavier than today’s current limits.

Another House proposal, H.R. 2948, would give a green light to trucks hauling automobiles to operate permanently at 88,000 pounds, 10% above the current interstate weight limit.

A third bill, H.R. 7496, would allow any governor to declare a crisis and raise maximum truck weights on the interstate without requiring thorough analysis demonstrating the need. Only the president currently has this authority. It would create a chaotic patchwork of different weight limits in various states — not only dangerous for motorists but confusing to the trucking industry. Policymakers and lawmakers have known for years about the dangerous and deadly relationship between safety and truck weight.”

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