About Us
Semitrailer trucks play a vital role in Texas’ economy, but heavier trucks endanger motorists, damage our roads and bridges, and cost taxpayers money. A leading voice in opposing more dangerous truck configurations, the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) is a nonprofit grassroots
organization that advocates for highway safety and sound transportation policies.
Recent surveys show that voters, law enforcement leaders and professional drivers oppose heavier trucks, but special interests in Texas are lobbying for them right now. Here are the findings of recent surveys:
- A 2015 poll found that 76% of respondents oppose heavier and longer trucks on the highway, while 15% support them and 9% are unsure.
- A 2013 survey found that over 95% of law enforcement officers surveyed believe that adding more weight makes a truck more dangerous, and over 90% of professional truck drivers surveyed say more weight negatively impacts braking.
- A 2015 survey of professional drivers in Texas asking their opinion of increasing the weight of tractor-trailers hauling ocean cargo shipping containers found that 85% of respondents oppose the increase, while 10% support it.
Heavier trucks were rejected on Capitol Hill in 2015. With Congress rejecting these trucks on Interstates, approving this proposal in Austin would mean the heaviest trucks would be forced to operate off of the Interstates and on state roads, through Texas towns and communities.
Stand with law enforcement officers, first responders, elected officials, engineers and independent truck drivers, and voice your opposition to heavier trucks on Texas highways.
Get the facts and take action. Click here to contact your Texas legislators right now and let them know you oppose heavier, more dangerous tractor-trailers.
Texas organizations opposing truck size and weight increases:
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
Texas Municipal Police Officers Association
Texas Police Chiefs Association
Houston Police Officers’ Union
North Texas Police Chiefs Association
Rio Grande Valley Border Chiefs Coalition
San Antonio Police Officers Association
State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas
Texas Association of Counties
Texas Municipal League
American Planning Association – Texas Chapter
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
Texas Hospital Association
Texas Brain Injury Providers’ Alliance
Texas College of Emergency Physicians
Texas General Federation of Women’s Clubs
Texas Railroad Association
Texas Shortline and Regional Railroad Association
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
UTU/SMART
Texas AFL-CIO
For more information, contact:
Rick Cowan
Texas State Director
214.491.7454
rcowan@cabt.org
To find out more about federal truck size and weight issues, visit: