Highway interests have called for increasing Pennsylvania’s fuel tax by as much as 8 cents a gallon to help fix the state’s roads and bridges, according to published reports.

The state now collects about 31 cents a gallon in taxes on diesel fuel – the second highest in the nation. The gas tax is 26 cents a gallon.

The Keystone State Transportation Funding Coalition cited an industry-funded study Nov. 12 that says accidents, traffic congestion and vehicle damage resulting from deficient roadways costs the average Pennsylvania driver $812 a year – $7.4 billion statewide.

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Roger Madigan, R-Bradford, told The Associated Press he supports the proposed tax increase.

“I believe the time is right for the General Assembly and Gov. Rendell to work on a funding initiative that will jump-start this economy and provide an improved transportation network,” Madigan said in a statement.

Winning approval for a fuel tax hike is certain to be an uphill climb, The AP reported.

A spokesman for state Rep. Richard Geist, R-Blair, said he wouldn’t support an increase unless Gov. Ed Rendell endorses it first.

A spokeswoman for Rendell said the governor would go along with a fuel tax increase only if legislative leaders do so first.