Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Carrying Automobiles Responsibly and Safely Act” or the “CARS Act”.
Carrying Automobiles Responsibly and Safely Act
A BILL
To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the operation of certain specialized hauling vehicles on the Interstate System, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Operation of certain specialized hauling vehicles on Interstate
Section 127 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(x) Operation of certain specialized hauling vehicles on the Interstate
“(1) In general—A State may not prohibit the operation of a stinger-steered combination automobile transporter with a gross weight of 88,000 pounds or less on—
“(A) any segment of the Interstate System (except a system exempted under section 31111(f) of title 49); or
“(B) the classes of qualifying Federal-aid primary highways designated by the Secretary under section 31111(e) of title 49.
“(2) Reasonable access—No State may enact or enforce a law denying reasonable access to stinger-steered combination automobile transporters, to and from highways described in paragraph (1), to loading or unloading points or facilities for food, fuel, repair, and rest.
“(3) Axle weight tolerance—A State shall allow a stinger-steered combination automobile transporter an increase of not more than 10 percent on the axle weight limitations set forth in subsection (a).
“(4) Stinger-steered combination automobile transporter defined—In this subsection, the term “stinger-steered combination automobile transporter” means a truck tractor semitrailer wherein the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located behind and below the rear-most axle of the power unit.”