Justice Speaks Podcast Episode #37

The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks is working to save your life

This episode of Justice Speaks focuses on the issue of Traffic Safety, more specifically the impact that bigger trucks can have on our roads and highways.  In this episode we interview Sheriff Donald Smith (Ret.). Sheriff Smith served as the 53rd Sheriff of Putnam County, New York, for 16 years from 2002-2017 and he is currently on the Law Enforcement Board for the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT).

Traffic Safety Matters to Everyone

The discussion starts off with recognizing the importance of traffic safety and how it saves lives. Sheriff Smith points out the most dangerous threat to a community comes from a failure to drive safely.  Right now, for 2021, it is estimated that approximately 46,000 traffic related deaths occurred in the United States. That is a significant increase from previous years.  Every one of these deaths shatters families with the unexpected death of their family member and in most rural communities unexpected deaths are more frequently caused by traffic crashes, not the “perceived” traditional murders.

When discussing road safety, Sheriff Smith says an important consideration is semi-trucks and the risk they pose.  The vast majority of drivers are safe and professional drivers, but either way it is a risky profession.  Any time there is a crash involving a semi, no matter who is at fault, there are major risks to everyone on our roads.  Which is why it is important to ensure that semi-trucks are well maintained, with properly trained drivers, and loads appropriately distributed.  The vast majority of truck drivers are also very strong proponents of truck safety—after all, they also have families they want to get home too.

Bigger Trucks are Not Safer Trucks

A specific safety issue that Sheriff Smith is concerned about is “bigger trucks.”  As a Law Enforcement Board member of the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT), the Sheriff pointed out that CABT is not against trucking or trucks, it is focused on truck safety and keeping everyone on our nation’s highways safe. In the 1990’s there were big trucking companies that were trying to change the laws on truck safety, for example, truck weight or the overall length of the semi-trailer. Based on the research, the Sheriff notes that trucks over 80,000 pounds are not safe because of the weight on the axle, the increased stopping distance, and the change of the center of gravity.  Some of the past efforts also included allowing longer trailers, which also causes a reduction in safety; e.g., the sight difference, trailer “sway,” and the “crack-the-whip” effect. During our discussion, it was pointed out that it is always important to remember, that traffic safety not only about reducing the fatalities, but also the thousands of injuries that happen, all of which impact everyone’s daily lives.

The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks

CABT came into existence because of the effort in the 1990’s.  The Sheriff calls CABT the “watchdog” on semi-truck size, weight, and configuration.  CABT continues to look for proposals that change the status quo on truck size, weight, and configuration and then partners with a variety of organizations, law enforcement, and government agencies to work to ensure traffic safety is the focus, and why these proposals are dangerous to everyone.  CABT creates publications and education awareness programs to educate and keep the public aware at the state and national levels.

In addition, Sheriff Smith noted that with bigger trucks, the infrastructure takes a beating with the additional axle weight, which includes bridges, like the bridge failure in Pennsylvania which is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.   More and more, according to the Sheriff, infrastructure is a huge traffic safety problem.

Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association Survey

With the pandemic and supply chain issues, there has once again been a push to change the laws on truck size and other similar issues arguing that, according to the proponents, it would help with recruiting and retaining drivers.  In response, a recent survey of it members, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) found that:

• 68% of the members said it would be more difficult to retain drivers; 
• 84% indicated that heavier trucks would negatively impact traffic safety; 
• 85% said longer trucks would impair traffic safety; and, 
• 93% said increasing the weight would negatively impact the infrastructure. 

If anyone wishes to get involved with CABT or in this life saving effort, they can go to the CABT website, write their congressperson, and their state representative.  

Research

To learn more or to get the CABT research on safety issues with heavier trucks, longer semi-trailers, or infrastructure issues, click here.