OOIDA opposed increase of weight for trucks

Representatives of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association asked the House of Representatives not to sign into law the bill that increases weight for commercial trucks.

The bill, introduced in May by Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-D., would create a five-year pilot program allowing trucks on interstates to weigh up to 91000 pounds on six axles.

In a letter dated August 29, OOIDA asked lawmakers to block this rulemaking: “OOIDA has been long opposing attempts to increase the size and weight of commercial vehicles on our country’s roads, and we hope that you will reject any attempt to do so through any separate bill or as part of larger legislative negotiations on an infrastructure, appropriations or farm bill in re-authorization.”

“Allowing trucks` weights to increase overall, as HR3372 would do, would benefit only a handful of large or specialized truck carriers while the rest of the industry, especially small businesses, would be disadvantaged,” OOIDA wrote.

OOIDA estimates that upgrading an axle configuration to haul 91000 pounds of cargo would cost a small carrier $10500 per truck.

Supporters of the bill say the change is necessary because of a drivers` shortage. OOIDA claims that there is no such need.

“The notion of a drivers` shortage is not supported by facts, dates or reputable research,” OOIDA states. “Instead, there is a lack of decent pay and satisfactory working conditions for drivers, which leads to high turnover and ultimately forces many truck drivers to quit.”