In The News
Senate votes 56-31 to oppose twin 33s
WASHINGTON — The Senate Tuesday dealt what could become a death blow to the efforts of less-than-truckload carriers to get federal approval to use twin 33-foot trailers on the nation's highway when the upper chamber voted 56-31 to oppose a federal mandate that would force states to allow the longer trailers.
The motion to instruct Senate conferees to the highway bill is similar to an amendment offered by Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., last July.
Specifically, that amendment would require U.S. Department of Transportation to complete a comprehensive safety study before longer trucks are permitted on highways. It would also require the agency to conduct a formal rulemaking process with public notice and comment period.
Such a study is often mandated in an effort to once and for all end debate on a specific issue, such as twin 33-foot trailers.
Many observers believe the House will follow the Senate's lead and include opposition to a federal mandate allowing the longer trailers.
"Thirty-eight states say these longer trucks are not safe, and they tell us that they don't want them on the highways and byways," Wicker said. "I think we should respect their decision. Today's vote against this federal government mandate sends a strong signal that we stand with the overwhelming majority of Americans who do not want to contend with these longer double trucks on their roads. I am hopeful that those who are writing the omnibus appropriations bill and the final highway bill have taken note of the Senate's position."
Tuesday's vote sets up an interesting scenario over the next few weeks.
Earlier this year, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the transportation funding bill requiring states to allow trucks with two 33-foot trailers on their highways, but no vote was taken on the floor.
The House had already approved its version of the transportation funding bill, including a provision to allow twin 33-foot trailers.
Eventually, the appropriations bills will be rolled into an omnibus spending bill.
And with President Barack Obama opposed to the longer trailers, and now with the Senate mandate and a likely House mandate against the longer trailers, the 33-foot trailer provision will be stripped from the final omnibus bill.
Those opposed to twin 33-foot trailers include Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the American Automobile Association, the Teamsters Union, the Truckload Carriers Association, the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, several state trucking associations, the National Troopers Coalition, and other law enforcement associations throughout the country.
The LTL industry, many shippers and the American Trucking Associations favor the longer trailers.
The Coalition for Efficient & Responsible Trucking, an umbrella group for supporters of extra-long double trailers, says they would improve efficiency, substantially reduce truck congestion and significantly cut down on truck-related accidents by reducing the number of trucks on the road.
Safety advocate Joan Claybrook, a former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief, said making a mandate to allow the longer trucks contingent on a government finding of no statistically meaningful decrease in safety sets a very high bar that will be difficult for the industry to meet.
The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks also praised the Senate action.
"Tuesday's bipartisan vote sends a clear message that Congress should put the brakes on the push for bigger trucks on the Interstates," said Sheriff Donald B. Smith, Sheriff of Putnam County in New York, and CABT's national spokesperson. "Driving on our highways is dangerous enough. We don't need to make it riskier by introducing bigger trucks to the road.
"The safety and protection of our residents is always the top goal and priority for law enforcement professionals," Sheriff Smith said. "We're grateful that a bipartisan majority of senators listened to our concerns about the dangers of longer and heavier trucks. As lawmakers prepare to hammer out a government-wide spending bill, we will continue to be vigilant in urging Congress not to experiment with motorists' safety."
CABT is a national, nonprofit grassroots organization with coalitions of nearly 5,000 local supporters in over 30 states. CABT supporters include law enforcement officers, safety professionals, local government authorities, and transportation stakeholders that include both railroad and trucking companies.
Associated Press sources contributed to this report.
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