Congress was sent a letter by the Coalition for Transportation Productivity (CTP) in order to confront what it said is “misinformation” surrounding federal truck weight legislation known as the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (SETA). In the letter, CTP says it has “dispelled incorrect allegations about SETA that have been propagated by groups opposed to the legislation.”
“The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act, or SETA, has been the subject of a deliberate misinformation campaign, and it’s time to set the record straight,” said John Runyan, executive director of the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, a group of more than 180 shippers and allied associations dedicated to increasing federal vehicle weight limits on Interstate highways. “Members of Congress need to know that the facts support SETA as a safe way to boost economic productivity while reducing our carbon footprint and the number of trucks necessary to meet demand.”
SETA gives each state the option to set Interstate weight limits of up to 97,000 lbs., but the higher weight limit would only apply to trucks equipped with six axles. Without making the truck any larger, CTP said, the additional axle maintains safety specifications — including stopping and handling capabilities and current weight per tire.
“Trucking is at its safest point since the U.S. DOT began keeping records in 1975, and we need to continue that positive trend,” said Runyan. “In order to drive and accommodate economic growth, we can either put more trucks on the road or allow them to safely carry more weight. SETA offers each state the ability to open portions of its Interstate network to safer six-axle trucks that can ship more freight while meeting the same federal braking and handling standards. Six-axle trucks can help companies lower their accident rates and dramatically reduce their fuel use and carbon emissions.”
The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (SETA) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) and Michael Michaud (D-ME) as H.R. 763. Identical companion legislation, S. 747, was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).
To read the full CTP letter, visit: http://transportationproductivity.org/Media/CTP_LettertoCongress_71811.pdf.
