WASHINGTON — The majority of Americans favor raising truck weight limits, according to a survey by the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, a lobby group made up of about 100 large shippers and agriculture companies.

The survey found that more than half of Americans questioned support allowing trucks with proper safeguards to carry more weight on U.S. interstates as a way to reduce environmental impact and boost transport productivity.

Such truck weight reform is outlined in The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009, sponsored by Reps. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) and Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio). 

The legislation would give states the option of increasing their interstate vehicle weight limit to 97,000 pounds for trucks equipped with a sixth axle.

"With truck traffic already increasing 11 times faster than road capacity and freight expected to double by 2025, H.R. 1799 would make sure America’s shipping needs are met in a way that improves highway safety and reduces our carbon footprint," said John Runyan, co-chair of the coalition.

The survey found that 66 percent would be more likely to support the legislation if trucks add an extra axle to reduce the stress on road pavement. Also, 63 percent said they would support the legislation if it would reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption.

However, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, which is against the move to raise the weight limit, questioned the validity of the survey results.

"The conclusion announced by the coalition is a far stretch considering the suggestive nature of the survey questions," said OOIDA spokesperson Norita Taylor. "The wording in the questions make a false claim of safety, forcing the respondent to give an answer assuming the claim is true. Therefore, this cannot be considered a valid survey by any means since the questions were not straightforward."

Using live operator telephone calls, pollster Wilson Research Strategies surveyed 1,000 American adults from June 16-22, 2009.