TRAA Joins National List of Organizations Opposed to Bigger Trucks

TRAA has joined the list of national organizations opposed to truck size and weight increases coordinated by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT). Several of our traffic incident management partners have already signed on including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs’ Association, National Troopers Coalition, Western States Sheriffs’ Association, and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. As an industry, our concerns are two-fold:

Responder Safety – First and foremost, leaders in TIM disciplines are concerned that longer trucks increase the risks to roadside responders and motorists due to the increased stopping distance required. This view is confirmed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Final Report to Congress published in 2016 that found Double 33s take 252 feet to stop — 22 feet longer than twin-trailer trucks on the road today.

Weights & Measures Restrictions – The towing and recovery industry has the unique role of recovering and transporting these trucks. Towers across the nation are already combating restrictive regulations that limit their ability to recover these vehicles and permitting any increases in length or weight would only burden the industry further.

While we don’t agree on everything, TRAA is happy to work with the CABT and its supporting organizations to advocate for highway safety and sound transportation policies.