Americans do not like the idea of sharing the road with heavier commercial motor vehicles.
A new survey found respondents are opposed to allowing bigger, heavier trucks on the nation's highways.
Conducted by Hart Research Associates for the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT), the survey found public opinion is strongly against proposals asking Congress to raise the national cap on truck size from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds.
According to the CABT, the survey found voters "overwhelmingly and consistently oppose allowing bigger, heavier trucks on American highways." It said 72 percent, of registered voters oppose such an increase. Additionally, 49 percent, said they strongly opposed the idea.
CABT saaid the survey also found opposition stems from public concerns about the increased threat of accidents posed by heavier trucks, as well as increased highway damage. Also cited were added traffic congestion and potential tax hikes to pay for highway damage.
One major trucking organization has come out against increasing weight limits.
"We already have a serious lack of training for truckers and virtually no minimum standards for a person to get a commercial drivers license," said Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. "It's a hard enough job to maneuver 80,000 pounds and no one knows better than the men and women who drive trucks for a living that heavier trucks can reduce safety margins for themselves and other motorists. Most want no part of increasing the weight limit, either as drivers or even as motorists sharing the road."
How do you feel about about increasing the legal weight limit for commercial motor vehicles? Take our poll.
