Could States Have New Power To Waive Truck Weight Limits?
Battle lines are being drawn over truck weight limits. The MOVE Act proposes giving states more freedom to waive weight limits during emergencies, but opponents fear it could become a backdoor for permanent increases.
The MOVE Act
The American Trucking Associations and shippers support the MOVE Act, which would allow states to waive weight limits for longer in emergencies and potentially for situations of "substantially impaired" supply chains. This flexibility is seen as a way to ease congestion and keep goods moving.
However, the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) argues the MOVE Act gives states too much power. They worry states could use "undefined" terms like "supply chain disruptions" as a reason to permanently raise weight limits. They point to a government report linking heavier trucks to higher crash rates.
Safety Concerns Beyond Emergencies?
Owner-operators also express safety concerns. While they support lifting limits for emergencies, they fear the MOVE Act could allow heavier loads on trucks not equipped to handle them. Additionally, increased weight requires greater stopping distances, potentially impacting overall road safety.
The Bigger Picture
The MOVE Act is just one piece of a larger debate. Congress considers other proposals, including a pilot program for higher weight limits on specific axles and increases for auto haulers.