The tug-of-war effort among lawmakers regarding whether to permit larger commercial trucks continues to be an ongoing battle. Specifically, proposed legislation would increase the weight limit on commercial trucks from 80,000 to 91,000 pounds and increase the permissible length of double-trailer trucks by 10 feet.
Proponents claim that longer, heavier trucks are generally safe and will streamline the delivery of commercial goods. Opponents argue the opposite, and for good reason. Large commercial trucks take up a lot of space on already congested Texas roadways. From 2000 to 2016, the volume of traffic on Texas highways has increased by 23 percent, which is 7 percent higher than the national average.
Even under the current standards, commercial trucks pose a serious threat to smaller passenger vehicles. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Texas had a total of 16,124 truck accidents in 2017. This marked a 7 percent increase in truck accidents from 2016.
Safety advocates have expressed concerns regarding mixing large commercial trucks with passenger vehicle traffic, especially trucks carrying two trailers.
Under current law, trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The damage they can do alone can be devastating to other road users. Increasing the length and weight of commercial trucks can be dangerous because of several factors:
An accident involving a heavy truck can be catastrophic and messy. If you or a loved one was involved in such a crash, you may be confused, frustrated and unsure what to do. Seeking medical attention should be your first course of action. Speaking to a highly skilled Texas truck accident attorney should be the next step.
The experienced legal team at Chad Jones Law knows how to handle complex accidents such as yours. Let us do the work for you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.