WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 1799, The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009

Comment by Another Side of the Story (July 2, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

No, I am not part of a Rail funded special interest attack group. Just a concerned mother and citizen. One of the larger and SAFER trucks that you mentioned (that you stated I have no knowledge of) nearly crushed my son to death & disabled him for life. He will need care for the rest of his life. The driver was loaded on drugs and alcohol. 5,000 deaths and over 100,000 injuries occur per year b/c of carelessness & driver fatigue. And, no, I did not contact the Federal Highway Dept.; I went to Washington DC and met with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration people who so generously gave of their time to meet with me. They agreed; stricter adherence to regulations must be made....

Comment by David Miller (June 29, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Instead of spouting off about bigger, heavier trucks without knowledge of the truth, you might want to contact the Federal Highway Department or even the ATA to find that in fact larger vehicle combinations are SAFER than traditional due to equipment specs, route restrictions and driver credentialing requirements. Or, is Sabina yet another voice from Rail funded special interest attack groups?...

Comment by Sabina (June 24, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Bigger, Heavier Trucks Are Less Safe. Bigger trucks take longer to stop and roll over more frequently. Deficient brake systems are already a leading factor in truck accidents, allowing bigger trucks with more wheels would make matters worse. Bigger, Heavier Trucks Inflict More Damage to Roads and Bridges. Allowing giant trucks weighing 97,000 pounds or more on U.S. roads and bridges would radically increase damage to highway pavement and bridges. Overweight trucks create a disproportionate level of damage to our roads and bridges, consistently documented in research studies conducted by the states, the federal government, and the National Academy of Sciences. Bigger, Heavier Trucks Guzzle More Fuel and Increase Air Pollution. Allowing bigger trucks would dramatically increase heavy truck fuel consumption and produce much higher emissions at a time when Congress is seeking to reduce the U.S. reliance on carbon-based fuels and to address global warming...

Comment by Wayne (April 29, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This bill will allow States to take heavy trucks off secondary roads and put them on Interstate Highways where they belong. Great forward thinking keeps citizens safe....

Revision by webmaster (April 22, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 1799 would amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to vehicle weight limitations applicable to the Interstate System.

Detailed Summary

Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009 - Allows a state to authorize the operation of a vehicle with a maximum gross weight (including enforcement tolerances) in excess of certain federal weight limitations on Interstate Highway System (IHS) routes in the state if: (1) the vehicle is equipped with at least six axles; (2) the weight of any single axle does not exceed 20,000 pounds; (3) the weight of any tandem axle does not exceed 34,000 pounds; (4) the weight of any group of three or more axles does not exceed 51,000 pounds; and (5) the gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed 97,000 pounds.

Directs the Secretary to establish a safe and efficient vehicle bridge infrastructure improvement program. Requires the Secretary to apportion amounts from the Safe and Efficient Vehicle Trust Fund to states for eligible bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose an overweight vehicle tax on any vehicles that exceed federal weight limitations operating on the IHS; and (2) establish the Safe and Efficient Vehicle Trust Fund.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/30/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (March 31, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 1799 would amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to vehicle weight limitations applicable to the Interstate System.

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

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Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (March 31, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 1799 would amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to vehicle weight limitations applicable to the Interstate System.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Status as of March 30, 2009

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

3/30/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.