AAA opposes bill for increased size and weight of commercial vehicles

AAA has announced that it opposes a recent bill proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives that supports increasing the maximum allowable size and weight of commercial vehicles because the heavier trucks could decrease the quality of the roads and bridges across the country.

"Additional research is required to demonstrate exactly how bigger and heavier trucks would impact traffic safety," said Jill Ingrassia, managing director of government relations and traffic safety at AAA. "Absent this research, we cannot take the chance - there is simply too much at stake."

Research from the U.S. Department of Transportation found that if this recent legislation is passed by the House, it may cost the nation up to $65 billion to repair the nation's roads and bridges.

Small business truckers are also speaking out against the the recently proposed bill, with members of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association stressing the hardships they face with heavier trucks and more longer-combination vehicles.

Truckers across the nation are also asking the House to evaluate the risks to truck driving safety the proposed regulations could place on truckers.

AAA opposes bill for increased size and weight of commercial vehicles

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012