Teamsters Fight Against Reckless Push To Allow Heavier, Bigger Trucks

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Feb 01, 2012, 12:29 ET

Hoffa Says Radical Changes Would Endanger Driving Public, Cost Taxpayers

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa joined Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., highway safety advocates and family members of truck crash victims at a press conference today to speak out against legislation that would make radical changes to federal law, allowing heavier and bigger tractor trailers on U.S. highways.

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"Many Teamsters drive for a living and they know up close the dangers involved if the size and weight of commercial trucks on our highways are increased," Hoffa said. "Heavier and longer trucks mean greater stopping distances and shorter reaction times. This legislation is treacherous to the driving public."

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is considering the legislation, which is sponsored by House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Fla.

It would raise maximum truck weights by more than eight tons and would overturn restrictions that ban dangerous triple trailer trucks and other longer combination vehicles on most U.S. highways. It also would impose exemptions on important hours-of-service regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules and Hazmat training requirements.

"This legislation is a reckless giveaway to the trucking industry, and corporate greed is at the wheel," Hoffa said. "The driving public absolutely does not support these radical changes that will endanger our highways. This overhaul will not create jobs. It will damage our roads and bridges, costing taxpayers. It will put lives at risk."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters