Truckers, Customers Resume Call for Longer, Heavier Trucks

April 14, 2006 8:00 AM, EDT

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RLINGTON, Va. — Trucking industry leaders and shippers resumed their call for longer, heavier trucks on the interstate system, saying bigger vehicles will help ease the freight-capacity crunch without posing a safety problem.

“Nineteen states now allow longer combination vehicles and heavier loads,” said Pat Quinn, chairman of American Trucking Associations and co-chairman of U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., at an April 3 forum here sponsored by the National Industrial Transportation League.

Quinn said permitting these trucks across the United States would save fuel, reduce pollution and increase capacity at a time when the driver shortage is getting worse.

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