“Pennsylvania’s police chiefs and their departments every day witness the dangers that tractor-trailers pose to motorists and our communities both big and small. Our collective experience as first responders to accidents has led us to the very rational conclusion that heavier trucks are more dangerous to motorists. That’s why over the years we have battled efforts by legislators in Congress to allow heavier trucks on our interstates. But some in Congress are now back at it again, with lawmakers weighing…
The Pine Bluff Commercial (AS) | Lowered road weight in Jefferson County sparks contention
“The weight limit for large vehicles on Jefferson County-maintained roads has been reduced from 85,000 pounds to 68,000. County Judge Gerald Robinson confirmed the change Thursday, adding he posted the new weight limit on county roads going into the jurisdiction. The change also comes at a time when citizens have voiced their opinions about the condition of their roads, feeling Jefferson County isn’t doing enough to keep them up. “The road construction of a county road is not the same…
RVTravel.com | Groups fight 91,000-pound heavy trucks on freeways
“Just how much damage heavy trucks cause to roadways is a hotly debated issue. One major trucking support group contends that “properly designed” roads don’t suffer any more damage from heavy trucks than from passenger cars. But if you’ve tried avoiding potholes with your trailer, or bumped your motorhome over washboarded off-ramps, you may think differently.” Read More+…
Land Line | Coalition urges House leaders to reject bill allowing heavier trucks on roadways
“In their letter opposing HR3372, stakeholders reminded House leadership that previous attempts in Congress to allow heavier trucks have consistently failed. A 2016 U.S. Department of Transportation report found that heavier trucks would lead to billions of dollars of additional costs to highway infrastructure. That report recommended that Congress not approve any increase in truck weight. Although the pilot program is for trucks operating on interstates only, the coalition pointed out that heavier trucks would affect local roads and bridges,…
Jacksonville Journal Courier (FL) | Commentary: Data points to heavier trucks making roads more dangerous — Donald B. Smith
“Congressional proposals to increase truck size and weight limits are out of touch with the reality of the 2022 NHTSA data and the findings of the 2016 Department of Transportation’s Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study, which called for no increases in relevant truck size and weight laws due to a lack of data. This study found that heavier trucks had anywhere from 47% to 400% higher crash rates in limited state testing. That finding should be enough to…
Citrus County Chronicle (FL) | Data points to heavier trucks making roads more dangerous
“Despite the dangers already on the roads, corporate interests are working with members of Congress to find a way around the 80,000-pound federal weight limit, seeking to put far heavier semi-trucks on our roads. In February, lawmakers introduced the MOVE Act. This bill would grant governors the broad, unprecedented authority to raise interstate weight limits for emergencies and “other unusual conditions, including an open-ended definition of “supply chain disruptions.” This removes congressional authority over interstate commerce, allowing states to raise…
Arkansas Democrat Gazette | OPINION – Steve Baxter: No to roads pilot – State motorists to be guinea pig
“The highways of Arkansas will become much more dangerous and deadly for state motorists if a federal proposal currently under consideration becomes law. The proposed federal legislation would increase the limits for tractor-trailer weights and sizes, creating unnecessary additional safety risks for the traveling public. From a safety perspective, the U.S. Department of Transportation found in their 2016 study that heavier trucks had higher crash rates. This proposal is being marketed in the form of a 10-year “pilot project” that…
Odessa American (TX) | GUEST VIEW: Data points to heavier trucks making roads more dangerous
“According to NHTSA, there was a 2 percent increase in fatalities in crashes involving large trucks and a 3.7 percent increase in injuries from 2021 to 2022, the most recent year of complete data. There were 168,816 large truck crashes in 2022, resulting in 76,550 injuries and 5,936 fatalities. But even more alarming is the dramatic increase over the most recent 10-year period — a 50.5 percent increase nationally in fatalities involving large trucks from 2012 to 2022. Despite the…
D.C. Journal, Inside Sources | Data Points to Heavier Trucks Making Roads More Dangerous
“Recently released crash and fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscores dangerous and deadly trends gripping the nation’s roads. According to NHTSA, there was a 2 percent increase in fatalities in crashes involving large trucks and a 3.7 percent increase in injuries from 2021 to 2022, the most recent year of complete data. There were 168,816 large truck crashes in 2022, resulting in 76,550 injuries and 5,936 fatalities. But even more alarming is the dramatic increase over…
Fountain Hill Times (Maricopa County, AZ) | Smith: Data points to heavier trucks making roads more dangerous
“Congressional proposals to increase truck size and weight limits are out of touch with the reality of the 2022 NHTSA data and the findings of the 2016 Department of Transportation’s Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limits Study, which called for no increases in relevant truck size and weight laws due to a lack of data. This study found that heavier trucks had anywhere from 47 percent to 400 percent higher crash rates in limited state testing. That finding should be…