The Tacoma News Tribune (WA) | Fatalities with semitrucks are way up on American highways. Don’t let them get bigger | Opinion

“The national trend tracks with big increases in states as geographically diverse as Missouri, where deadly crashes with large trucks rose by 58.7% between 2012 and 2022; Alabama, up 45% during the same time period, with California up 67%, Texas up 41% and Georgia up 73%.

But as troubling as the new figures are, yearly fatalities are likely to grow even more if some in Congress have their way. 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.”

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