Proposed bill could increase load size for truckers

If passed, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act could bring a number of benefits for the trucking industry, including improving efficiency for truckers, allowing them to increase the size of their loads.

Currently, the federally mandated limit for truckers in most states is a load size of 80,000 pounds, unless a truck has a permit to be overweight. The act would increase the maximum weight to 97,000 pounds in most states, which will allow truckers to transport more per trip.

The heavier trucks would actually improve truck driving safety by taking some trucks off the road, reducing crowding on the highways throughout the United States.

The passage of the act would allow businesses to move more good from factories and farms to stores, allowing them to see a return  faster. A number of companies are already supporting the bill, including Hershey, Home Depot and MillerCoors, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

More benefits of the proposed bill are cost savings for trucking companies and decreased fuel emissions.

Proposed bill could increase load size for truckers

Monday, January 30th, 2012