Vote 'YES' on H.R. 763 in the Highway Bill 

January 30, 2012

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC  20515

Dear Representative,

Last year, Reps. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) and Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) introduced H.R. 763, the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2011. On behalf of the more than one million members and supporters of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), I urge you to include this important legislation as part of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act that is scheduled to be marked up in full committee this week.

Current federal law limits gross vehicle weight on most interstate highways to 80,000 pounds with five axles, while Mexico’s weight limit is 106,000 pounds and Canada’s weight limit is 95,000 pounds. H.R. 763 would increase the federal gross vehicle weight limit to 97,000 pounds with an additional axle.

A study by the American Transportation Research Institute found that a 97,000 pound truck is 17 percent more fuel-efficient on a tons per mile basis than a truck with a gross weight of 80,000 pounds. Increasing capacity will also improve efficiency; more freight will be moved using fewer trucks. During a time of slow economic growth, this legislation will stimulate the economy by helping American companies stay competitive.

H.R. 763 would also save taxpayers money. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there would be 20-year pavement restoration cost savings of $2.5 billion if five-axle 80,000 pound trucks were replaced by six-axle 97,000 pound trucks. In addition to requiring a sixth axle, H.R. 763 would increase fees for those trucks operating at the higher weight limits. This additional revenue would be directed at maintaining and strengthening the highway infrastructure.

These benefits can be achieved without sacrificing safety on the interstate highways. In fact, there is substantial evidence that the reduction in vehicle miles traveled could reduce the number of accidents involving tractor trailers.
I urge you not to delay these shipping improvements by authorizing duplicative studies on trucking weights. It is time for lawmakers to approve legislation that makes substantial improvements for American businesses and taxpayers. All votes on H.R. 763 will be among those considered in CCAGW’s 2012 Congressional Ratings.

Sincerely,

Thomas Schatz,
President