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“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…

“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…

“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…

“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…

“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…

“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…

“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…

“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. The presence of law enforcement officers from multiple states highlights the widespread opposition to the proposed legislation…” Read More+  …

“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…

“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…