Rep. Holt and Senator Torricelli released a joint letter to Governor Whitman asking her to "take this opportunity to increase the safety of the drivers, passengers, and residents" by expanding the regulations and giving local police a greater enforcement role. The letter argued that restricting 96-inch trucks could significantly reduce truck traffic, citing 1997 Census Bureau statistics that show 45% of the nation's tractor trailers are 96-inches wide, while 41% are 102-inches wide. Congressman Holt is in a tight race this year to hold his 12th District seat. His challenger, Republican Dick Zimmer told the Star- Ledger through a spokesman that he too strongly supports expanding the ban to 96-inch trucks.

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign applauds these efforts, but maintains the most effective way to rid communities of all but necessary truck traffic is to legislate and enforce the dictate that all trucks enter the National Network of truck routes as soon as possible. NJ's restrictions against trucks on smaller highways now applies only to trucks beginning and ending their trips in other states. A 1993 "commodity flow survey" concluded that only 30% of the ton-miles transported via NJ roads and highways were simply driven through. Of the remaining, 24% were shipped within the state and 46% had either a NJ origin or destination.

The Whitman administration has told reporters and the Campaign that it has not ruled out these measures to strengthen the ban. However, no changes beyond the amendments currently under public review will be considered until after the suit brought by the American Trucking Association is settled. Currently, the court expects to hear the case in mid-November.