Hazardous Materials

Here is information provided to your writer but unused in his Sept. 21 article about the hazards of gasoline tankers:

-- Since 1988, new Arco tankers have been built with a lower center of gravity, super single tires and wide-track axles. Since 1985, Arco has experienced only one rollover accident where vehicle stability was at issue.

-- Arco tankers feature product compartments with extra baffling to prevent gasoline “sloshing” when braking. This helps keep truck and trailer in balance.

-- Driver applicants must have experience driving large trucks and undergo rigorous state tests, plus Arco’s own extensive orientation, before taking the wheel of a company truck.

Although studies show that larger tankers (vehicles 10 feet and longer with three additional axles) would improve highway safety and cause less highway damage, the railroad industry was successful in getting federal legislation passed to freeze truck weights for six years while the Department of Transportation further studies the impact to roads and safety.

The fact is that the use of larger tankers would result in 400,000 fewer truck trips in California per year. Assuming there’s a direct correlation between miles driven and the number of accidents, the use of larger tankers also has the potential to reduce truck accidents by 20% to 25%.

We urge our legislators in Sacramento and Washington to consider legislation that would allow industry to design and use the more stable and productive wheels.

S.M. RULLO

Vice President

Supply and Environment, Health & Safety

Arco Products Co.

Los Angeles