Photo submitted to Times Observer Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, PA 15th Congressional District, left, with Warren County Sheriff Ken Klakamp.

There have been repeated requests of Congress to allow larger trucks — 33-foot twins — and heavier loads on the nation’s roads.

So far, those requests have been defeated. There is powerful opposition.

“The National Trooper Association, National Sheriff’s Association, and the International Chiefs of Police oppose longer trailers and heavier trucks,” Warren County Sheriff and President of the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association Ken Klakamp said. “The increase of longer trailers and heavier trucks was defeated in the last session of Congress but is expected to be raised with the new Congress. In the last congressional session it was a bipartisan defeat.”

On Tuesday, Klakamp addressed members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation and met with Congressmen Glenn Thompson.

Klakamp was invited to address the delegation and explain the PSA position against heavier and longer trucks, by the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT).

“The PSA position is based on public safety to drivers, our current infrastructure system, and environment concerns,” Klakamp said. “Longer trailers add to blind spots for truck drivers. Concerning heavier trucks: can our current roads and bridges withstand the additional weight before they fail. The State of Michigan allows a tractor trailer weight of 130,000 pounds. Their crash rate involving trucks have increased by 400 percent.”

“The laws of physics apply,” he said. “Stopping distances for heavier trucks increase.”

He said he is not swayed by the argument from proponents of bigger trucks that most of the activity would be on interstate highways. “The truth is, any route listed as a U.S. route is part of the national highway system, so heavier and longer trucks could run on U.S. routes,” he said.

In addition to meeting with Thompson, Klakamp and CABT Pennsylvania Regional Director Josh Collins met with staff from the offices of Congressmen Mike Kelly, Madeleine Dean, John Joyce, Conor Lamb, Susan Wild, Dan Meuser, Lloyd Smucker, and of Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey and members of the Senate Commerce Committee.