Bill would increase truck size limits

WASHINGTON, June 5 (UPI) -- U.S. lawmakers have proposed legislation that would increase truck size and weight limits on the nation's highways.

A bill introduced by Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, and Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, would allow trucks up to 97,000 pounds with a sixth axle to operate on the nation's highways, an increase from the federal limit of 80,000 pounds and maximum length of 53 feet, USA Today reported Friday.

Proponents of the measure, which would require individual approval by states, said it would cut pollution and reduce highway congestion by allowing the trucks to deliver more freight in fewer trips.

"It does take a little more fuel, but when you factor in what it would take to pull that in separate loads, it's more fuel-efficient," said Clayton Boyce, vice president of public affairs at the American Trucking Associations.

However, critics of the measure said it would have extra wear and tear on the country's roads and create new safety hazards.

"These trucking companies don't come close to paying their fair share for the damage they do," said Jackie Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and a member of StopBiggerTrucks.org. "The American public is going to pay with their lives and their wallets if this goes through."

Some truckers, including Gillan and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, agreed that larger trucks would be less safe.

"Eighty thousand is enough for anybody. If it gets much bigger, it's going to create an unsafe environment, and more deaths on the roads," said Lewie Pugh, 35, a 14-year truck driver based out of Freeport, Ohio.