ROADMap OVERWEIGHT TRUCKS
Increasing penalties, enforcement in Texas puts focus on permitting
BY THE STEERING WHEEL STAFF Worsening road conditions, particu-
larly those in the energy producing areas of the state, have gotten the attention of many trucking companies of late. As roads continue to deteriorate with
heavy use and state funding continues to elude the counties that need it—county judges have taken the matter into their own hands.
Weight enforcement is increasing
across the state but particularly in areas and on roads that the state or counties have recently posted as being unable to bear truck weights in excess of posted weights. In such cases, a determination has been made that a weight limitation is warranted, and a specific procedure has been followed required in Texas statutes prior to such posting. “Those roads are in fact posted and
enforcement is certainly up in these areas as truck traffic has increased,” said Maj. Chris Nordloh, who oversees all commer- cial vehicle enforcement in Texas for the Department of Public Safety. “We recognize that along with the
benefits of increased energy production come some challenges,” said Maj. Nordloh, “and the department is committed to doing its part to meet these challenges, including increasing enforcement efforts to enhance roadway safety.” Trucking companies are finding that
roads they have used for years and may have believed to allow truck traffic at 80,000 pounds are roads whose posted weight limit is only 58,420 pounds. “Your trucks will not be ticketed if the
HEFTY FINES FOR
truck displays a 2060 permit listing the county that truck is traveling in,” said Les Findeisen, director of policy and govern- mental relations for Texas Trucking Association (TXTA). However, several counties recently
announced they intend to issue their own permits for traveling on roads that are maintained by the county and designated as county roads. “In researching the legality of this
new trend in county road use permits, we have found that counties are actually authorized to issue permits for county roads—however with a minimum amount of truck traffic for all these years, traffic or enforcement was never really an issue – that has changed rapidly,” said Findeisen. “Our research also shows, however,
that the law states that 2060 permits allow trucks to travel at 80,000 plus a 5 percent tolerance without any requirement that a county road use permit be obtained. In fact, the law enacting the 2060 permit spe- cifically prohibits a county from requiring
a road use permit if a truck is permitted under this law. So, if a company is facing a county road use requirement, the thing to do is get 2060 permits for your trucks.” There is some awareness in some
counties that the 2060 permit protects trucks from local permits, but the counties still want to keep track of all the trucks on their roads. Some counties are trying to route heavy trucks so they can more easily identify and enforce weight limits against trucks not on the route. “Routing allows counties to try and
mitigate damage, but just as important to them, they can focus the limited law enforcement assets they have to the trucks that are creating the most damage,” said Findeisen. “From the county perspective, they think ‘You may have the 2060 permit but we still want to route you.’” Trucking companies are beginning to
see the request pop up in several counties and the instances of its occurrence are on the rise.
Continues Winter 2015 47
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