Trucking

Statement of Lena Pons, Policy Analyst, Public Citizen

In announcing that it would extend its cross-border trucking pilot project for two more years, the Bush administration continues to flout Congress at the expense of highway safety. This is the latest of many moves by the administration to give Mexico-domiciled carriers operating authority in the United States beyond a limited border zone despite lawmakers’ clear instructions to the contrary.    » read more »

Risks, Costs Far Outweigh Claimed Productivity Gains; Statement of Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen

May 14, 2008 -- This statement was given at a news conference.

Thank you for joining us this morning. Today, we are here to make the case against allowing bigger, heavier and longer trucks onto our highways.

Truck crash: Photo by Daniel Gasienica (CC)

I’m joined by several people who have lost loved ones in crashes involving large trucks and a state trooper who was injured in a serious truck crash while protecting the public. They will share their stories with you.    » read more »

Majority Opposes Changing Laws to Allow Bigger Rigs; Safety Advocates Warn of More Deaths, Damage to Roads and Bridges

May 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new national survey shows that Americans overwhelming oppose efforts by the trucking and shipping industries to relax safety standards and allow longer and heavier trucks on the nation’s highways, a coalition of safety groups announced Wednesday.    » read more »

Hoffa Says Congress Shouldn’t Consider ‘Crazy’ Plan

May 14, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on Wednesday urged Congress to ignore trucking industry lobbyists who want to let dangerous large trucks on our highways.

Container trucks on a US highway: Photo by futureatlas.com (CC)

A trucking industry group called “Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation” is lobbying Congress this week for a pilot program to let bigger trucks on the road in five, possibly six states.

The states are Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Georgia and possibly Texas.    » read more »

State Department of Transportation to Develop New Regulations and Enforcement Policy; Plan Would Improve Quality of Life in Affected Areas

May 12, 2008 -- In response to the dangers posed by scores of trucks hauling non-local solid waste across local rural roads in the Finger Lakes and Central New York, Governor David A. Paterson and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) will institute a new policy intended to keep large trucks, with the exception of local pick-up and delivery vehicles, on the National Interstate Highway System.    » read more »

April 09, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley today thanked members of the House Government Appropriations Committee for giving a favorable report to HB 697, sponsored by Representative Mac Gipson, which would grant exemptions from federal motor carrier safety regulations for the operation of vehicles under 26,001 pounds which operate in solely intrastate commerce.

An old Ford F-700 truck by a rural highway in Alabama: Photo by sunsurfr (CC)    » read more »

Inspector General Questions DOT Inspections of Mexican Trucks, Drivers

March 11, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said today that the latest inspector general report on the Bush administration’s reckless pilot program allowing unsafe Mexican trucks to travel freely in the United States provides even more ammunition to keep the border closed because of safety concerns.    » read more »