U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined with Teamsters president James P. Hoffa on the steps of the U.S. Capitol this morning to protest against a federal mandate allowing twin 33-foot tractor-trailers on the nation’s highways.
Earlier this year, the Teamsters launched a program, “Let’s Get America Working.” It is urging lawmakers to invest in the repair and maintenance of the nation’s infrastructure, including highways. The Teamsters say the trucks, at 91 feet in length, pose safety hazards to motorists and inflict further damage to the nation’s highway system.
“America’s highways can be a dangerous place for motorists,” Hoffa said in a statement. “That’s why it makes no sense that some in Congress want to cave to trucking industry interests and approve the use of even longer double trailers on over-congested highways. Such a move further hampers highway safety and could potentially cause an uptick of deaths on the nation’s thoroughfares.”
“The deadly 33’s that are so difficult to stop and steer, not only are they a safety menace, but they tear up the roads,” Blumenthal said at a press conference in Connecticut earlier this year. The trucks are currently illegal here but legislation has passed the U.S. House of Representatives that would permit the longer tandem trailers. According to Hoffa, the U.S. Department of Transportation is recommending lawmakers make no changes to truck size rules at this time.
