States keep rewriting truck weight rules. Some truckers aren’t happy about where things are headed.
Lawmakers are putting the spotlight on certain loads. Such loads include milk, farm products and construction materials.
Supporters argue that heavier trucks mean fewer trips, less traffic and lower emission. But many truck drivers see a different picture.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association warns that heavier trucks could pose greater safety risks and increase wear and tear on roads and bridges.
OOIDA cites research from the Transportation Research Board and the U.S. Department of Transportation that raises concerns about increasing truck weights rather than easing them.
Even with those warnings, states continue moving forward with weight-limit changes for specific loads.
This year alone, several states have approved new exceptions.
Oregon is allowing milk haulers to carry heavier loads. Wisconsin approved a weight break for loads that include grain and commercial feed. Maryland signed off on a new permit covering heavy-haul traffic moving through port corridors.
Virginia
Virginia recently made a change aimed at coal haulers.
For years, state law has allowed truck owners, drivers or both to be held responsible for overweight violations.
Penalties start at $250 and can climb to $1,000 for repeat offenses.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill that clears up who takes the blame when a truck qualifies for a coal permit but doesn’t have one.
Lawmakers originally sent HB1457 to the governor with the truck owner carrying all responsibility.
Spanberger pushed for a broader approach. She also asked lawmakers to include lessees.
Lawmakers agreed. Now, both owners and lessees can be held responsible under the law.
The change takes effect July 1.
Iowa
Iowa lawmakers also set a much heavier load limit for milk haulers.
Current rules allow special permits for trucks hauling fluid milk products. Permits can be used to move loads between milk plants, receiving stations and transfer stations when weight limits are exceeded.
Trucks can carry up to 20,000 pounds per axle and a maximum gross weight of 96,000 pounds on primary roads and certain city routes.
The annual permit costs $400.
Lawmakers first proposed a major jump, raising the permissible weight to 136,000 pounds. It also removed restrictions that limited travel to primary roads.
As the bill moved through the Capitol, lawmakers narrowed the focus.
The final version simply ensures that annual milk-hauling permits are valid for trucks and truck combinations weighing up to 136,000 pounds.
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law. The new weight limit takes effect Jan. 1. LL
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