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Home My WebLink AboutIII (C) Approval and Authorization for the City to become an Alliance Member of the Florida Alliance for Safety Highways (FLASH) in Opposition to Triple Trailer Trucks Agenda 8-5-97 Ocoee Item III C o` ►,; a O 0 Mayor 150 N. LAKESHORE DRIVE OCOEE, FLORIDA 34761-2258 (407) 656-2322 FAX (407)656-8504 MEMORANDUM TO: Ellis Shapiro, City Manager FROM: S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor" DATE: July 17, 1997 RE: TRIPLE-TRAILER TRUCKS Ellis, I would like this placed on the next Consent Agenda. THE PRIDE OF WEST ORANGEC010 Ocoee # c fO Or 0000‘. S. Seat leutietreje Mayor 150 N. LAKESHORE DRIVE OCOEE, FLORIDA 34761-2258 (407) 656-2322 FAX(407) 656-8504 MEMORANDUM TO: City Commissioners FROM: S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor / DATE: July 17, 1997 RE: TRIPLE-TRAILER TRUCKS The attached information has come to me recently. I would like you to consider it. If you have information other than that presented, please remove this from Consent Agenda for discussion. A letter from the Mayor and Commission will follow to the appropriate people. Cohnlr 1. »r, 1 _ZS�'7 THE PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE Florida Alliance for Safe Highways 3538 Bocage Drive, Unit #805 Orlando, FL 32812-7591 Brian Hinman, State Director (407) 851-6564 fax: (407) 851-5569 July v, 1 JJ7 Mayor S. Scott Vanldergrift Office of the i"vtayor 150 N. Lakeshore Drive Ocoee, FL 347 U1 Dear Mayor Vanldergrift: Good to meet you the other day at the meeting for Secretary of Transportation Slater (who did not show)j hosted by Rep. Corrine Brown. I mentioned a little about Illy 'program and 'wonder if you could become involved to a small extent: The Fla. League of Cities sent out the following announcement to all its members. I wonder if you would join in writing to the members of Congress listed and to Senator Bob Graham your concerns about bigger trucks being allowed in Florida. FLASH has worked hard to stop these triple-trailer trucks from comin g to Florida and voices like 'yours are needed t0 stop these trucks from being seen in our rear-view mirrors. Also would you add Ocoee to the list of cities that have joined FLASH? A current list of members of FLASH is included. Thanks! Sincerely, 6toot,:„ Brian Hinman State Director Florida Alliance for Safe Highways (FLASH) (a Coalition-Against-Bigger-Trucks member) 3538 Bocage Drive, Unit #805 Orlando, FL 32812-7591 Brian Hinman, State Director (407) 851-6564 fax: (407) 851-5569 Mission Statement Bigger trucks are dangerous tracks. In 1995, there were 4,903 fatalities and over 100,000 injuries in truck-related highway crashes --(NHTSA, 7/96). Today we are faced with a situation in which there is growing pressure on Florida to relax its restrictions on the use of longer combination vehicles (LCVs). In the current NAFTA negotiations on North American truck size and weight standards, both Canada and Mexico are advocating expanded use of larger and heavier trucks. The U.S. Dept. of Transportation is currently having the Federal Highway Administration study the effect of LCVs on the roads and is considering changes to truck size and weight that could lead to the expanded use of larger and heavier trucks. The residents of Florida are strong supporters of increased trade with our NAFTA partners--Canada and Mexico. Yet Floridians are also committed to preserving the safety of our transportation system and preventing any further deterioration of the state's infrastructure. The solution is to protect public safety by opposing the expanded use of larger and heavier trucks including: 1. opposition to proposals for pilot or demonstration programs. 2. opposition to permanent increases in allowable truck size and weight. Florida Alliance for Safe Highways (FLASH) resolves to protect public safety by working to ensure that trucks do not get bigger or heavier than current standards allow. Maintaining truck size and weight at its current limits will help to: * Save lives of Florida citizens * Reduce the number of fatalities caused by truck-related accidents * Reduce the number of injuries caused by truck-related accidents * Preserve the infrastructure of Florida's roads and highways * Maintain the integrity of Florida's bridges. Florida League of cities ^ ------ -- 1 �-.A"ty,_ ._- ActiOr2 Strike `earn _.juzlitz.: r,"___ FAST Cornmittee , 'til: Kelvin J. Robinson, Legislative Director all • Triple-nailer Trucks DATE: February 10, 1997 TRIPLE-TRAILER TRUCKS The trucking industry is pushing for :he Surface T'rarrsportatior, Su'ecommittee to change its olio size and weight on U.S. higihways, thus allowing trple-trailer trucks. In Florida We do policy the truck trple-t'r;rilE:r trucks, "':""rase toTS� �. . : r �� not currently have ti and bigger er tntcks cause accidents. They also cause merging problems for cars bee:tuse they are slower on upgrades and faster on downgrades. The proposed triple-trailer trucks are up to 110 feet on --the equivalent of an 11 story building. They Iimit visibility, and a truck crash can close all Interstate lanes for several hours. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 1995 there were 4,'903 fatalities, and over 100,000 injuries in truck-related highway crashes. Because triples have more axles, they also have more brake;. Additionally, the increased number of brakes makes it harder to keep these trucks in compliance with U.S. DOT law. Generally triples are loaded with about a third more weight than a double or tandem. Because of this increased stopping distance needed, triples more likely to cause or be in accidents due to rain or slippery conditions. Florida's roads are subject to eo severe rainstorms and trying to pass (or being passed by) a triple-trailer truck splashing water from its 26 wheels, would be at best, unsafe and at worst, a fatal accident. ACTION Three members of the Florida Congressional Delegation, are members of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee. the body with oversight on ISTEA re-authorization. They are: Rep. Corrine Brown(D-FL.1 Rep. Tillie Fowler (R-FL) Rep. John Mica (R-FL) U.S. House of Representatives U S. House of Representatives J.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C. 20515 Alpo Please write these Congress persons4 Y. 4,. .1:.17, and urgethem ire..>n to continue freezing the size and weight in the ISTEA re-authorization (' TEA M . It is important that we keep triple-trailer trucks off Florida's Highways. Please copy all of your letters :o: kilt'� C: 150 417., ?J' 6 Mr. Brian Huunan, State Director tit 5 C 0310 Florida Alliance for Safe Highways •hsl 3536 Bocage Drive, Unit #r805 w�. Orlando, 1'ori:la 32812-7591 Puat Office box 175'' " falialrassae, Florida 32302 * (904) 222-9684 * Suncotu 278-.5331 FAX (904) 222-3806 Florida Alliance for Safe Highways (FLASH) (a Coalition-Against-Bigger-Trucks member) 3538 Bocage Drive, #805 Orlando, FL 32812-7591 (407) 851-6564 fax: (407) 851-5569 Alliance Membership I have read the mission statement of the Florida Alliance for Safe Highways and agree that in order to preserve the safety of our public transportation system and prevent any deterioration of the state's infrastructure, we need to oppose the expanded use of larger and/or heavier trucks including: 1. opposition to proposals for pilot or demonstration programs. 2. opposition to permanent increases in allowable truck size and weight. Please list your name & title as you would like it to appear on the FLASH member list: Name Title Alliance membership: (please check all that apply) You will write letters to Fla. Senators and Reps. You will attend a district meeting with us when we meet with your congressman/senator. You will allow us to use your name/organization on FLASH material. You would be willing to act as a spokesperson at our events. You would work to identify other members for our Alliance. ____My organization agrees to serve as an Alliance member of the Florida Alliance for Safe Highways. Signature Title Florida Alliance for Safe Highways (FLASH) (a Coalition-Against-Bigger-Trucks member) (407) 851-6564 fax: (407) 851-5569 5/;79 Alliance Membership FLASH Advisory Board: State Rep. Bob Casey, R-Gainesville State Rep. Allen Trovillion, R-Winter Park Todd Persons,Pres.,Persons&Brinati Communications Gene Gallo, Vice-Mayor& Councilman, City of Bradenton John Smith, Fla. Assn. of Counties Andrew Farber, Fla. EMTs & Paramedics Lloyd Parker, Past President, Fla. EMTs & Paramedics Don Crane, President, Floridians for Better Transportation Beth Brunner, Fla. College of Emergency Physicians Darcy Foster, Fla. League of Cities Corporate & Group members: A. A. R. P.--Fla. State Chapter Brevard County Board of Commissioners Brain Injury Assn. of Fla. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers City of Bradenton City of Gulf Breeze Town of Cinco Bayou City of Key Biscayne City of Davenport City of Hastings City of Belle Glade City of Palmetto City of North Port Crossroads of Delray Condo Assn. City of Hialeah Fla. Nurses Assn. Fla. State Firefighter's Assn. Fla. Sheriffs Assn. Fla. Assn. of EMTs & Paramedics Fla. State EMS Advisory Council Fla. College of Emergency Physicians Fla. Assn. of Police Chiefs Fla. League of Cities Fla. Assn. of State Troopers Fla. Emergency Nurses Assn. Fla. Assn. of Counties Fla. Fire Chiefs Assn. Jax Fire & Rescue Dept. Jax Sheriffs Dept. MADD-Fla. Orlando Metro Planning Organization (MPO) Orlando MPO Citizens Advisory Committee Pensacola Urbanized Metro Planning Organization (MPO) State Rep. Bud Bronson, D-Kissimmee Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Persons&Brinati Communications Winter Park Chamber of Commerce Supporting FLASH, but not members: AAA Clubs of Fla. Governor Lawton Chiles