“Heavier trucks could start using the nation’s highways and bridges if a bill to increase tractor trailer weights from 40 to 45 tons passes Congress. The measure, which was voted out of a congressional committee in May 2023, is being supported by a coalition of shippers, manufacturers, agribusinesses and trade groups that contends allowing heavier trucks would make those industries more productive. Opponents, which include several members of the New Jersey congressional delegation and Hunterdon County commissioners, are concerned about…
Hoodline | Arizona State Troopers Urge Congress to Reject Higher Truck Weight Limits, Citing Increased Highway Risks
“Arizona and other state troopers are making their presence known on Capitol Hill this week, voicing strong opposition to any legislation that would permit heavier trucks on U.S. highways. Among the law enforcement pushing back is Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, who, according to Arizona Public Media, stressed that the proposal to increase semitrailers weight limit will exacerbate dangers on the roads and lead to more severe accidents. “We only have 63% of Phoenix filled, currently, with…
Arizona Public Media | Arizona troopers warn Congress that lifting weight limit on trucks will make highways more dangerous
“Law enforcement from Arizona and other states descended on Congress on Wednesday, lobbying against a proposal to allow much heavier trucks on the nation’s highways. Backers say the idea would improve the supply chain. But Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, warned that heavier semitrailers would endanger other drivers and lead to more serious crashes. “We only have 63% of Phoenix filled, currently, with troopers,” he said outside the office of Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., following a…
Eastern Arizona Courier | Arizona troopers warn Congress that lifting weight limit on trucks will make highways more dangerous
“Hawkins met with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and as many representatives as he could. The consensus was positive, he said, and lawmakers appreciated explanations about the difference 11,000 pounds can make. Tractor-trailers were involved in 2,760 crashes in Arizona in 2022, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. That includes crashes of tractors not pulling a trailer. In 2022 there were 111 fatal collisions, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.” Read More+…
Herald Review (Sierra Viesta, AZ) | Arizona troopers warn Congress that lifting weight limit on trucks will make highways more dangerous
“Law enforcement from Arizona and other states descended on Congress on Wednesday, lobbying against a proposal to allow much heavier trucks on the nation’s highways. Backers say the idea would improve the supply chain. But Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, warned that heavier semitrailers would endanger other drivers and lead to more serious crashes. “We only have 63% of Phoenix filled, currently, with troopers,” he said outside the office of Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., following a…
KTAR 92.3 FM (AZ) | President of the Arizona State Troopers Association lobbies with the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks in Washington, DC
“Proposed federal legislation looks to increase the weight of commercial trucks and gives individual states the authority to set that weight. The President of the Arizona State Troopers Association Jeffery Hawkins went to Washington, D.C. this week to lobby with the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) to oppose the legislation. He met with members of Arizona’s congressional delegation to voice his concerns. H.R. 3372 would create a pilot program expanding the operation of commercial semitrucks with gross vehicle weight that…
Cronkite News, AZ PBS | Arizona troopers warn Congress that lifting weight limit on trucks will make highways more dangerous
“Law enforcement from Arizona and other states descended on Congress on Wednesday, lobbying against a proposal to allow much heavier trucks on the nation’s highways. Backers say the idea would improve the supply chain. But Jeffrey Hawkins, president of the Arizona State Troopers Association, warned that heavier semitrailers would endanger other drivers and lead to more serious crashes. “We only have 63% of Phoenix filled, currently, with troopers,” he said outside the office of Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., following a…
Arizona Daily Indepenent | Arizona Troopers Warn Congress That Lifting Weight Limit On Trucks Will Make Highways More Dangerous
“During the proposed pilot program, the Department of Transportation would track crashes and determine whether heavier trucks cause more injuries and fatalities – effectively turning other drivers into “guinea pigs,” according to the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks. That group comprises law enforcement, independent truck drivers, engineers, elected officials and rail freight interests that compete with the trucking industry. Hawkins’ daylong visit to the Capitol to lobby Arizona lawmakers was organized by the group. He and counterparts from Louisiana and Illinois highlighted concerns…
Yahoo News Canada | 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…
The Kansas City Star | Fatalities with semitrucks are way up in Kansas and Missouri. Don’t let them get bigger | Opinion
“Fatalities involving large trucks on Kansas and Missouri roads have spiked dramatically over the last decade, according to recently released federal data, underscoring why area lawmakers must fight renewed efforts in Washington, D.C., and our state capitols to allow even bigger semitrucks on the nation’s highways. New findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that annual fatalities in Missouri resulting from crashes with large trucks rose by 58.7% between 2012 and 2022, from 92 fatalities to 146. In…