Hear What Citizens Are Saying About Bigger Trucks
Tom Brackin
Vice President, Delaware State Troopers Association
Darin Snedden
President, Iowa State Troopers Association
Damon Kurtz
Fresno Police Officers Association
Tom Klasner
President, Illinois Association of County Engineers
“Bigger trucks will mean bigger traffic problems and bigger risks to other drivers – it’s that simple. Bigger trucks won’t just mean more potholes, but a sinkhole of bigger subsidies and bigger deficits.”
– Sergeant Gary Chandler
President, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association
The Issue
Ultra-dangerous, ultra-damaging trucks could be coming to a roadway near you. Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee overwhelmingly voted against increasing the size and weight of trucks traveling on our nation’s highways and bridges as part of the multi-year highway bill. Thanks to many of you, the bill now requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a study evaluating the effects of bigger trucks on safety and infrastructure. Despite that, some groups continue to urge Congress to allow bigger trucks on our nation’s highways. Congress is about to vote again on this critical issue and we need to keep up the fight against longer and heavier trucks.
Other Organizations Opposed to Bigger Trucks
- National Troopers Coalition
- National Sheriffs' Association
- National Association of Police Organizations
- International Association of Chiefs of Police
- Western States Sheriffs' Association
- AAA
- National Association of Counties
- National League of Cities
- International City/County Management Association
- National Association of County Engineers
- General Federation of Women's Clubs
- Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Public Citizen
- Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
- Truck Safety Coalition
- Transportation for America
- American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
- Railway Supply Institute
- Association of American Railroads
The Facts
Bigger trucks are more dangerous trucks. They can take longer to stop and are more prone to roll-over accidents when the added weight is stacked vertically. Heavier trucks also mean that vital equipment, like brakes and tires, wear out more quickly. Bigger trucks threaten lives on our roads. The safety risks are just too high to allow bigger trucks.
The nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. Longer and heavier trucks will make the situation worse. Longer, heavier trucks accelerate the deterioration of our roads and bridges and mean more potholes, delays and detours for motorists.
Today, 80,000-pound trucks pay just 80% of the cost of their damage to taxpayer-funded roads and bridges. The 97,000-pound trucks that have been proposed would pay only 50%. We pay the rest. We should not be forced to increase our subsidy for bigger trucks while cutting back on education and other needs.
Tell Congress No Bigger Trucks
Call Toll-Free 855-284-4874
