Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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JOURNAL NEWS Congress considering letting states raise truck weight limits F or the fifth consecutive year, Congress is considering legislation that would allow states to increase truck weights on interstates to 97,000 pounds. On Feb. 12, U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud introduced H.R. 612, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act. The next day, the Maine Democrat���s bill was referred to committee with 10 co-sponsors. Allowing the higher weight also requires these heavier tractor-trailers to have a sixth axle, which would decrease per-tire weight. Proponents say this would equalize braking capacity and stopping distance of heavier trucks with trucks weighing less than 80,000 pounds. The U.S. House Transportation Committee rejected a similar measure included in the omnibus highway bill Congress approved last July. Instead, it passed an amendment requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive truck size and weight study. In letters sent to every U.S. House member, the OwnerOperator Independent Drivers Association argued against Michaud���s legislation, while the American Trucking Associations outlined its support. OOIDA said the change negatively would impact equip- ment costs and safety. ���While proponents talk about savings from heavier trucks, for the small business truckers that make up more than 90 percent of the trucking industry, heavier trucks only mean higher fuel, repair and equipment costs, including the likelihood of spending tens of thousands of dollars on new trailers designed to haul the heavier weight simply to remain competitive,��� the association wrote. Conversely, ATA asserted numerous studies indicated the change would not decrease safety and would save fuel while reducing emissions and congestion. Also, trucks operating above federal limits have used highways for decades in states where grandfather clauses exist, but states lacking these clauses force trucks exceeding the federal limit off interstates and onto roads with lower safety and construction quality, ATA wrote. The bill also would make permanent Maine���s pilot program, which allows 100,000-pound trucks to use Maine���s entire interstate system. Before the program, this only was authorized on the Maine Turnpike and from its southerly terminus to the New Hampshire line. ��� Jill Dunn Engineered to outsmart road conditions Discover why more carriers are choosing Double Coin tires over other brands ���When you���re traveling in a converted Prevost bus, you don���t want to be worrying about your tires. Double Coin has made a believer out of me and I would definitely recommend them to others.��� Fuel Efficient Tire Line FR605 FD405 FT105 FT125 ��� Gary Stevens, Owner/Operator See more smart money stories at www.doublecoin-us.com Text INFO to 205-289-3554 or visit www.ccjdigital.com/info COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL Date: 03/01/13 Client: CMA CCJ_0413_JOURNAL.indd 11 Account Director: Henry Artime Job #: 01352012 File Name: 0135_CMA_DC_Ad_CCJ_Stevens_Apr2013_h Editor: Designer: ch Revised By: ov | APRIL 2013 11 Page 1 of 1 Production: ov 3/21/13 2:11 PM