By Brian Shane
Staff Writer
A national lobbying group is asking Worcester County leaders to oppose proposed federal regulations that would allow heavier and longer tractor-trailers on the road.
The nonprofit Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) is fighting two bills pending in the House of Representatives that would increase weight limits for commercial vehicles on interstate highways from 80,000 to 91,00 pounds.
The proposed federal regulatory changes are coming from national companies that rely on shipping, according to Rob Bielunas, Regional Field Director of CABT. He met with Worcester County staffers earlier this year to make his pitch for their support.
“This issue is really being pushed by your big shippers of the world, your Amazons, your UPSs. Your local mom and pop trucking company tends not to be in favor of these kinds of bills or these kinds of effort,” he said.
CABT has asked for, and received, letters of support from the Worcester County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Matt Crisafulli to oppose HB 3372 and HB 2948. The Commissioners approved the mailing of a letter to Sen. Ben Cardin that opposes the unfunded legislative proposals.
“Increased sizes and weights will have a significant effect on our county-maintained roads and infrastructure,” the commissioners’ letter says. “Not only do heavier trucks do enormous damage to our highways, but they also increase costs for taxpayers at the local level by the increased stress they put on older bridges and roads.”
The estimated cost to rebuild the 766 bridges in Maryland’s First Congressional District, 47 of them in “poor condition,” would cost taxpayers $151 million, the letter also says.
Heavier trucks will wear down the life expectancy of bridges and roads at a faster rate, Bielunas said.
“I’m sure you’ve been down roads where, you know, so many trucks go on it that they start to get grooves in it, which makes infrastructure dangerous,” he said in an interview. “And none of these bills ever come with any sort of funding … to keep up with the expedited maintenance routine that comes with heavier tractor trailers.”
In addition to infrastructure, the Commissioners’ letter also shares concerns about motorist safety, because heavier trucks have been shown to have higher crash rates.
There were 59 fatalities in 2022 caused by 3,628 large-truck crashes in Maryland – a 44 percent increase over the prior year, data cited in the letter and attributed to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Bielunas was quick to mention that not every crash is the driver’s fault.
“Sometimes it’s, you know, a distracted driver. Someone cuts them off. Maybe it’s bad weather and they just can’t stop in time. But, you know, at the end of the day, it’s their vehicles that are the most dangerous ones on the road,” he said.
CABT has also asked for support from Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st). When asked whether the Congressman supports the measures, a spokeswoman replied via email that the bills were discharged from committee months ago without action on the House floor.
“We will be on the lookout if these go to the floor but I’m unaware if there are any plans to address these bills after the election. If there is floor action, I will be in touch with how the Congressman votes,” said Harris’ communications director Anna Adamian.
Coalition Against Bigger Trucks also received letters of support from the Snow Hill Police Department, the Maryland Chief’s of Police Association, and the Maryland Sheriff’s Association, according to Bielunas.