accident-free miles. We are proud that we were the first company to get the Department of Transportation's approval to install on-board computers on our trucks, which help monitor our drivers' speed, actions, and ensure accurate reporting. To maintain this enviable safety record, we train our drivers thoroughly, and our truck maintenance is unsurpassed. Equally important, our intrastate trucks receive the exact same maintenance that our interstate trucks receive. As a matter of fact, the drivers and trucks are used interchangeably for inter-and intrastate loads. Ten percent of Frito-Lay's tractor trailer fleet exceeds 53-feet in length. Replacing these trailers with 53-foot trailers would result in an additional two thousand trips annually, forcing our fleet to 5 drive an additional 800,000 miles. Further, it would increase the cost of our consumer products over one million dollars a year! We strongly believe the proposal to roll back trailer lengths to 53-feet is a bad idea for the following reasons: Safety - Safety is achieved through the strict enforcement of safety laws and regulations, not from limiting the size and weight of a vehicle. Obviously the safest mile is the one that never has to be driven. Highway Congestion -- Shorter trailers will increase the number of trips, miles and will result in a more congested highway system. 6 Environmental Concerns - Additional trips and miles will add more wear and tear to the National Highway System than would the slightly increased axle weight on longer trailers hauling light and bulky goods. Consumer Goods Cost - The cost of consumer goods would be increased by the additional distribution expenses generated by more trips and miles, resulting in requirements for increased capital assets with no offsetting reduction in tax dollars required to support the National Highway System. Competitiveness - Increased distribution costs put a greater burden on American produced goods competing with imported goods. Another step backward in the arena of global competition. 7 In closing, let me reiterate that limiting tractor trailers to 53-feet or less is not in the best interest of the consuming public and will not benefit the National Highway System in any way. I appreciate the opportunity to appear here today to discuss this important issue. I will be happy to answer any questions. STATEMENT OF RODNEY E. SLATER, ADMINISTRATOR SUBCOMMITTEE ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION MOTOR CARRIER AND HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUES Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to be here this morning to discuss a number of issues involving the safe operation of our Nation's highways. Joining me this morning is Mr. George Reagle, the Federal Highway Administration's Associate Administrator for Motor Carriers. The issues we will discuss are of particular concern to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) especially in light of Congress' current consideration of legislation to designate the National Highway System (NHS). Approval of the NHS is the FHWA's highest surface transportation priority this year. I applaud your efforts, Mr. Chairman, and the efforts of all on this Committee to make the NHS a reality. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM While the NHS, as currently proposed, includes only 4 percent of this country's public roads, it carries 40 percent of the Nation's highway traffic, 70 percent of the commercial truck traffic, and 80 percent of the tourist traffic. To come back to Washington for this hearing, I flew from Nevada where over the weekend I attended the dedication of a new scenic byway. The importance of access to local tourist facilities, which add so much to the Nation's economy and quality of life, cannot be overstated. We could talk all day about the benefits of the NHS for tourism, the economy, etc., but that is not our reason for being |