Casey Calls for Removal of Provision Tucked into Must-Pass Spending Bill that Would Increase Size of Already Massive Trucks on Roads in PA

Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), highlighting county by county data, called for the removal of a provision tucked into a must-pass spending bill that would increase the size of already massive trucks on roads in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation.  County data shows the potential danger of allowing trucks that are 17 feet longer and with larger blind spots on the road. There have been 20,893 accidents involving large trucks in Pennsylvania since 2011. Counties like Allegheny, Philadelphia, Erie, Dauphin, Luzerne, Montgomery, Lancaster and Berks have seen approximately100 plus accidents per year since then. The provision, inserted into the House and Senate Transportation Appropriations Bill, would allow 85 feet double tractor trailer trucks -- a substantial increase from the current 53 feet single trailer trucks on the road. Casey detailed opposition from public safety officials across Pennsylvania and pushed for the provision to be taken out. The measure has passed the full House and has cleared the relevant Senate committee.

“The simple fact is that bigger trucks on the road mean the potential for larger accidents and increased dangers for our children and families,” Senator Casey said. “Adding bigger, heavier trucks on the road will only put an additional strain on our already aging infrastructure.  It is imperative for Congress to remove this provision from the Senate and House Appropriations bills and work on commonsense policies that make our roads safer.”

 For a county by county breakdown of accidents involving large trucks, visit the US Department of Transportation's Crash Statistics Map.