In January, it seems like everyone's talking about their weight and the trucking industry is no exception. Maine just passed a temporary weight increase for loggers in an effort to help counteract high diesel prices. Taking the opposite tact, New Hampshire is considering tripling fines for overweight trucks. And farmers are pushing for uniform weight regulations for interstate ag haulers.
- Maine helps loggers. Last week, Maine's Governor John Baldacci signed a temporary waiver to allow forest product haulers to carry 5% more weight until April 1. "We know that our forest products industry and Maine's truckers are being hurt by record high diesel prices," Baldacci said. "They are struggling right now, and they need help. With the quick action of this Legislature, they get relief right now."
- New Hampshire to triple fines. This week New Hampshire staterepresentatives will discuss a transportation bill that wouldtriple fines for overweight trucks. Fines would start at $300 for a first offense, jumping to $750 for subsequent violations. Fines for exceeding state bridge weight limits would also increase substantially.If passed, the law would take effect in January 2009.
- Farm vehicles redefined. Backed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Oklahoma Representatives introduced a bill into the U.S. House to increase interstate weight limits on agricultural haulers from 10,001 (current federal standard) to 26,001 pounds (state maximum). Farmers are seeking the higher weight to keep their drivers out of the CDL system.
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I think they should go back to the old weight 73280 lbs shorten the trailers to 40 ft vans, flats ,reefers, no doubles or triples this has to do with safty and fuel mileage, some speciality trailers will need to be longer.It will not add more trucks to the roads,that excuse is just that.I have hardly seen any recievers be in dire straights waiting for their goods,most of the time its "where are we puttin this stuff" This is the way i see it I have been driving since 1972. Keep her straight AL