History Reveals A Pattern
Congress last increased the federal weight limit in 1982. Then, as now, those pushing for bigger trucks said it would result in fewer trucks on the road, but that never happened. In fact, the number of trucks registered in the U.S. and the mileage of trucks traveled has steadily increased.
Nearly 8 Million More Trucks
A study conducted in 2010 concluded that an increase from the current 80,000-pound weight limit to the proposed 97,000-pound weight limit could reduce overall rail traffic by 19%. The same study found that diverted freight will inevitably find its way onto the highway, resulting in 8 million more trucks on our roads and bridges—a 56% increase. This influx would not only further endanger motorists, but cause exponential damage to our nation’s roads and bridges.