Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton, P.A. blog

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Larger Trucks Create Bigger Safety Risk

The owners of large trucking companies are proposing that larger and heavier commercial trucks be allowed to travel interstate highways. The proposed increase in gross vehicle weight would increase from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds. The proposal has been made primarily by the shipping industry using the excuse that this would save fuel and be "Greener" for the environment. Interestingly, the industry cannot substantiate this claim since the same tractors would be hauling an additional 17,000 pounds. The engines are simply not designed for this increased load and certainly the braking systems are not sufficient for this increased load. Additionally, the suspension systems of most trailers are not adequate for this stress. The result is a deadly combination that will dramatically impact the safety for all of us on our nations highways.

To learn more visit this site:

http://www.trucksafety.org/docs/Final%20Press%20Release%20for%20Truck%20Safety%20Press%20Conference.doc

posted by Attorney W. Marc Hardesty at 8:02 PM