Size Matters: U.S. House of Representatives Considers Allowing Bigger Trucks
When big rigs and cars collide on Tennessee roads, the results are never good and sometimes deadly. The car and its occupants almost always get the worst of it. The main reason for this is the sheer size and weight of the commercial truck.
Today, the weight limit for a fully loaded semi is 80,000 pounds, but that could change with a bill put before the U.S. House of Representatives this month. This legislation, H.R. 7, proposes, among other recommendations, that the weight limit be increased by eight and a half thousand pounds, which would allow 88,500 pounds of crushing weight to take to the roads next to comparatively tiny passenger cars.
Raising the weight limit has been proposed to save money and allow the transportation industry to see more profit. However, it is met with much criticism.
Lenoir City, Tennessee Police Chief Don White doesn’t think H.R. 7 is such a good idea. On February 2, he flew to Washington to protest the legislation. Before leaving Tennessee, White commented, “I don’t think it is safe, and that’s what I’m going to tell our legislators when I get to D.C.” He planned to meet with five Representatives while in Washington.
An East Tennessee trucker, speaking anonymously, said, “I don’t think we should be upping the weight limit, but the public needs to be aware that . . . there are more big truck accidents due to automobiles cutting too close in front of us and not leaving us room to slow down all this weight.”
Meanwhile, Washington representatives have not been able to agree enough on H.B. 7 to bring it to a vote. At the end of February, they were working to revamp the transportation bill to make it a more appealing package.
As Memphis truck accident attorneys, we feel that the public’s safety should always come first. At Bailey & Greer, we work hard to represent you when you are injured in a Tennessee truck accident. Call us toll-free today to request a free consultation at 901-680-9777.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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