The Coalition for Transportation Productivity, a transportation advocacy group, has come out supporting a bill that would allow heavier and longer trucks on the highways. The legislation has been introduced that would allow tractor trailer trucks to increase their weight from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds and in some cases up to 126,000 pounds. The legislation would allow the largest rigs to be up to 10 feet longer for a total length of more than 100 feet.
We are against allowing heavier and longer 18-wheelers on the roads and highways. The increase in length will make it more difficult to safely get around the trucks and it will make the trucks much more of a hazard whenever they attempt to turn, corner or backup. The added weight will make the big rigs more deadly and more difficult for their drivers to stop in an emergency.
18 Wheelers already pose an increased risk to all Texas Drivers, increasing their length and weight is an unacceptable risk.
