MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Charles Price was headed to Kansas.
He was hauling lumber when WREG spoke with him, but you name it, he’s carried it.
But he said he doesn’t want to see more cargo hooked up to his rig.
“We already got enough holes in the highway everything is good the way it is,” said Price
Several trucking companies around the country including Memphis-based FedEx announced they wanted to lengthen the trailers they used to increase cargo.
In their minds, fewer trucks means less gas.
They argued it’s better for the environment and the company’s bottom line, but it could mean something else.
“It will impact a lot of people in their families as well, I don’t want to see that,” said Dan Honeycutt.
Truckers said less trucks mean less jobs.
They worried bigger trucks could put many people out of work while saving corporate dollars.
“Whatever helps them will benefit them, instead of the benefits for the people,” said one trucker.
The American Trucking Association reported no safety concerns with the change but drivers we found weren’t so sure.
“It’s hard enough to stop 80,000 pounds as it is. They get any heavier and you can’t stop them trucks,” said another trucker.
FedEx and other shipper’s have cited studies which showed significant environmental benefits.
Aas for employment, Price said he’s not going to sweat it.
“They’re going to keep good drivers; bad drivers’ they’re going to get rid of,” he said.