|
NY targets trucks on off-limits roads
By Jill Dunn
In response to an increase in trucks illegally using New York state roads or ones with low clearances, Gov. David Paterson announced legislation that would dramatically crack down on truckers.
Truckers increasingly use Global Positioning Systems, which may direct them to take state roads off limits to trucks or with low clearances. The result has been more bridge strikes, where trucks hit overpasses and cause accidents and traffic delays.
The legislation, which reportedly might be introduced in January, would:
• Increase penalties for truckers who illegally use parkways.
• Allow officers on the scene to use their discretion to confiscate trucks stopped and ticketed.
• Require all large commercial trucks to use enhanced GPS that routes them away from restricted roads.
• Allow state and affected localities to recoup many costs associated with the bridge strike from the trucking company or its insurance carrier.
Mike Joyce, legislative director for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said clear road signs exist informing drivers which roads are restricted. He said lack of driver training and allowing new drivers to rely too much on technology may be behind the bridge strikes.
“This heavy-handed scheme comes on the heels of recent tax, fee and proposed route restrictions for commercial vehicles,” Joyce said. “The governor is doing a great job of pushing New York to the top of the list of places where truckers least want to do business.”
Late last month, state police began an enforcement blitz. In one week, law enforcement issued 400 tickets to truckers who were illegally operating their vehicles on certain roads and parkways.
Most tickets were issued to out-of-state drivers using non-commercial GPS devices, according to Patterson’s office.
The state transportation department said 81 percent of overpass strikes by trucks were caused by GPS guidance.
New York has contacted 20 GPS and mapping providers on upgrading software to account for low clearance bridges and overpasses. Also, a task force has recommended starting pilot programs to test both low- and high-tech ways to warn drivers of upcoming bridges or road closures, such as moving warning signs farther up the road and using infrared beams to detect a truck approaching a road it should not be entering.
State officials have also talked to the National Insurance Crime Bureau of possible insurance discounts for truckers using upgraded GPS devices with truck routing information.
|
|
