Trucking-Friendly Plan in Congress Decried as Attack on Safety

It comes at a time when the rise in truck-related deaths has bucked a trend of overall improvement in highway safety.

A container truck roll over accident clogged traffic on northbound 880 during the Tuesday morning commute. It backed up traffic all the way to San Leandro, almost ten miles. Photographer: Laura Oda/Oakland Tribune/Zuma Press

Photographer: Laura Oda/Oakland Tribune/Zuma Press
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A multimillion lobbying push by FedEx Corp. and other freight carriers may be about to open U.S. highways to a new generation of bigger truck trailers even as watchdogs warn the price will be roadway carnage.

A $55.3 billion transportation spending bill unveiled last week blocks a variety of safety measures opposed by the industry, at a time when the rise in truck-related deaths has bucked a trend of overall improvement in highway safety.