You are currently browsing the The Pennsylvania Conservative weblog archives for the day February 26, 2007.
February 26, 2007 by Matt Heckman.
A new bill being proposed will require truckers to install chains to their tires during severe weather conditions. The measure will not ensure the safety of Pennsylvania motorists, but will only put more wear and tear onto the highways costing taxpayers more money to maintain the infrastructure.
First we have to go back in time and look at facts. When President Eisenhower created the Interstate Highway system in the 1950’s, 75% of general freight was transported by rail. Most of our major roads and interstates were created during that time, and were designed structurally for the type of traffic conditions of that time. Today only about 25% of freight transit is done by rail and in the process our highway infrastructure continues to take a heavy burden which it was never designed to handle in the first place.
For the past 30 years we have been funding the trucking industry with our taxpayer dollars. Allowing them to continue to chew up the highways with chains is not the answer. How about if it is slick pull the freak over? One of the biggest problems with the recent storm is that these truckers continue to drive on sheets of ice going 65 to 85 mph, high on drugs most of the time and jackknifing in the process. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of paying extra to subsidize people that have no regard for my life and safety or the lives of others on the road. That is where the expansion of rail would be ideal for their case. Since we pay for the rail companies to begin with, it is only logical for freight to resume in that manner. The General Assembly should consider tax breaks for companies that take advantage of rail and lessen the wear and tear on our highway infrastructure among many other ideas.
One thing is for certain, and that’s we can’t continue down this path.
Source: http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/16776600.htm
Hat tip to Chris @ Grassrootspa.com
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