Industry Lobbying Groups Oppose New Jersey Senator-Sponsored Truck Accident Prevention Bill
This may not come as much of surprise, but lobbying groups from trucking companies are furiously opposing a bill sponsored by New Jersey Senator Frank R Lautenberg, which aims at preventing truck accidents and preserving the highways.
Earlier this month, I discussed the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act of 2009, a bill introduced by Senator Lautenberg and Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA- S). The bill would extend current size and weight restrictions on large tractor trailer trucks to the entire National Highway System. Current limits are 53 feet in length and 80,000 pounds in weight. These limitations however, are only enforced on interstate highways, and individual states are free to set restrictions for roads that come under their jurisdiction. If the bill is passed, these restrictions would apply to trucks across 160,000 miles of that National Highway System.
The trucking industry is opposing any such bill. They are instead supporting another piece of legislation called the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009. This bill will actually increase weight limits to up to 97,000 pounds. Larger trucks for these companies would mean the ability to carry heavier loads, thus saving on transportation expenses. A 97,000 pound truck would require fewer numbers of trips to transport the same amount of cargo. The cost savings for these companies are potentially huge, but the risk of devastating accidents with serious injuries and fatalities is great. Joining the trucking companies in support of the bill is the produce industry, including growers and shippers’ groups.
A large heavier truck is going to be even more difficult to navigate on busy highways. Motorists will be at risk from out of control tractor trailers, a jackknifed big rig or a large truck that’s tailgating. While increasing productivity may be important during a time of recession, Monmouth County truck accident lawyers feel that we need to safeguard public safety too. In any case, the costs resulting from accidents involving these large commercial trucks is far too severe to ignore.
