Dr. Ron Knipling: Twin-33-Ft Trailers Would Enhance Safety, Efficiency of US Freight Distribution
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Last week, Dr. Ron Knipling, a truck safety expert, authored an opinion piece in The Daily Caller. Dr. Knipling argues that technological advancements and safety improvements have made large trucks safer and more efficient than ever. Referring to his 2016 study, Dr. Knipling challenges misinformation that large trucks are less safe today, “truck involvement rate in injury crashes is just one-third that of passenger cars.” He goes on to challenge other misinformation, instead explaining the true benefits of allowing twin 33s to operate nationally:
“Most of this misguided criticism fails to recognize the cost savings and efficiencies that a twin-33 shift would introduce. For instance, some detractors decry modest increases in infrastructure costs associated with freight consolidation into fewer trucks.”
“In reality, the proposed change to allow twin 33s nationwide does not impact the maximum allowable truck weight—80,000 pounds—the primary cause of infrastructure wear. Nearly 16-percent fewer twin trailer trucks would be needed to transport the equivalent volume of goods, reducing the overall strain on traffic and our overall transport system.”
“In truth, twin 33s are actually safer than their smaller, 28-foot counterparts. Research has shown a generally inverse relation between twin trailer length and risk because increased length improves stability and reduces the likelihood of rollovers or jackknifes. Twin-trailer trucks, in general, have among the lowest crash rates in the trucking industry.”
Click here to read the full piece.
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