Everyday commercial trucks and 18-wheelers pass through Lafayette, Louisiana on Interstates 10 and 49. Even though the overall number of traffic fatalities has decreased across the country, the number of fatalities related to truck accidents has increased. Recently, a federal bill that would increase the size of trucks on the road has been introduced in Congress and some say larger trucks will cause more truck accidents and deadlier ones as well.

Last week, representatives in Congress introduced the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act. The proposed law would provide $260 billion in funding for federal highway projects over the course of five years. The bill also contains a controversial provision that would allow for larger trucks on highways.

The provision would allow for larger trucks on highways by increasing the federal weight limit of commercial trucks from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds. Under the provision, trucks as heavy as 126,000 pounds would be allowed on the road in some cases. In addition, the provision would also extend the length of commercial semis by 10 feet. The total length of big rigs under the provision could reach more than 100 feet.

Some drivers on the road already feel threatened by the current size of commercial trucks. Opponents of the controversial provision say the allowance of even larger trucks on the road would lead to more traffic fatalities because larger trucks would require greater distances to stop and heavier trucks would cause deadlier accidents.

Proponents of the provision say the risks of heavier trucks can be mitigated by the requirement of a sixth axle. An added axle would help maintain the braking and handling of the larger rigs.

One Congressman said the provision pits the efficiency of long-haul trucks against road safety.

Source: cnn.com, "New transportation bill creates safety concerns over bigger rigs," Greg Clary, Feb. 1, 2012