Teamsters support legislation limiting truck weight, size

The Brotherhood of the Teamsters, which represents more than 1.4 million men and women throughout North America, announced its support for legislation that would restrict truck weight and size on U.S. highways.

The legislation, known as the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act (SHIPA), would prevent potentially dangerous vehicles from affecting the safety of other drivers by setting limitations to the size of trucks allowed on the highway.

Jim Hoffa, the general president of the Teamsters union, said that because many members driver trucks, the organization understands the safety risks involved with certain large trucks.

"More than 600,000 of our 1.4 million members start their workday by turning a key in [a] vehicle," Hoffa said. "That gives Teamsters a real-life perspective on the dangers involved in increasing the size and weight of trucks from their current levels. Heavier and longer trucks mean greater stopping distances and shorter reaction times."

Because safety is such a concern for truck drivers, those who are interested in pursuing a career in the industry may benefit from taking online truck driver training courses in order to ensure they can safely navigate their vehicles on the highway.

Teamsters support legislation limiting truck weight, size

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011