185 N Ventura Ave. Ventura, CA 93001. 1-5 Months Truckers tend to not to be driving during busy times, holidays, etc because it costs the companies that hire them more (takes longer and sometimes involves overtime). This is why we're not out during rush hour." The purpose of weigh stations is to keep the roads safe. But a relative lack of man power isnt the only reason Fitzgeralds teamdoesntoften open stations. Thats the question at the heart of this edition of MI Curious, Michigan Radios series investigating listener questions about our state. Privacy | They are also used for random inspections and as we all know, DOT . In many states, any vehicle over 10,000 pounds must stop at a weigh station. Northbound only, southbound doesnt stop. Job Listing Rules. In all these years, I have been cited at a weigh station a grand total of one time. This can be extremely valuable to help truckers save valuable time. Exceptions are sometimes made, but these are only made if the cargo cannot be broken down or separated. Gunner75 Road Train Member. If you're trying to avoid the weigh stations, you can either take an alternate route or wait until the weigh station closes. The fine you receive can also be based on how many offenses you have had in the past, with second offenses potentially costing double or triple the amount of a fine. There are also special gadgets you can get that allow you to bypass weigh stations along the highway. But motor carrier officers can weigh trucks while on road patrol too. Please select the number of verifiable months youve been driving professionally using your Class A CDL within the last 3 years. Intoxalock Ignition Interlock. By checking this box and clicking the "Send me job offers" button below, I represent that I: By checking this box and clicking the "Send me job offers" button below. Today is Election Day. "So right now, they're almost backed out onto the highway. In those situations, when the drivers have a . The intent of weigh stations is to keep trucks within the legal limits, for a variety of safety and road-maintenance reasons. Right now we have 12., https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=121&v=fIsqWrZrWq0. That information shows the qualification of the carrier to participate in PrePass. Why is that? For some states this weight can be higher, but the rule is the same - all commercial trucks should stop at every weigh station when they are open. Heres how one woman put her rent money aside and got to keep it. Staff close the station when they dont have inspectors available. 2. This is why we're not out during rush hour." The purpose of weigh stations is to keep the roads safe. CDL Grad, No Experience Do not know if this replicated in game. So when the legislature again tried, and failed, to get a road funding package earlier this summer, truck weights werent even up for discussion. As it turns out, though, there are perfectly good reasons for why theyre not always open. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Weigh station apps. The purpose - not the "intended purpose" - is to weigh trucks to make certain they are not overweight. Divisible loads can be divided into . Lt. Pascoe says even if a weigh station is closed, that doesnt mean no one is watching. Policing trucks in one of the nations truck hotspots. If you haul for a business, you are required to have a log book, and if your trailer exceeds 10,000 pounds- a CLASS A commercial drivers license. As theyre going over right here, theres two metal plates in the ground," said Daugherty. The only exception to this is if the driver has a PrePass or other bypass service. They are operated by the Department of Transportation or Department of Motor Vehicles depending on the state. Arizona - All vehicles with 10,000lbs or more GVWR. That generated about $4.5 million in fines. They open on Saturdays from 8am-4pm), and called them at 4:05 pm and they waited for me!!! Hes also got several computer panels flashing at him. Tom Fitzgerald . The gadget will notify the driver of the weight . If troopers elect to weigh a truck, the fines for overweight loads increase depending on the weight, with a $1,600 fine being issued for loads that are 20,000 pounds over the limit. Truck weigh stations are important because weighing trucks prevents overweight trucks from going onto highways that cannot handle the heavy load. 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint, PublishedSeptember 3, 2015 at 2:38 PM EDT. Those issues are a bit controversial, Cotter said. You might recall that state ballot measure that would have raised about $1.2 billion in annual road funding? They are places where commercial trucks can go to have their weight measured, which is important for many reasons, including ensuring that a truck is not overweight and that it can operate safely. You have permission to edit this article. Not only would you write a check to fund the salary of the officer who caught your driver, he would lose time and money waiting until another truck arrives to unload the excess weight. There are two primary reasons why trucks have to stop at weigh stations. If a weigh station is closed, the driver is not required to stop. Additionally, there's apparently paperwork to be done by the staff of the station so they shut it down for periods even where they're there. Why are Texas weigh stations always closed Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by DAX_, Jan 19, 2018. This relates to a trip I took last month through the midwest, specifically for this example Nebraska and Iowa, but I think has more national relevance. The first reason is safety. If they're always open, overweight trucks will actively avoid them. 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The availability of trailers means the trucks are carrying heavy loads. Truck Weigh Stations. When I started in 1998, we had 21 motor carrier officers stationed at Monroe, Pascoe said. This is often the case on weekends, holidays, and sometimes even late at night. We need to immediately, if nothing else, reduce our weights to 80,000 (pounds), and start preserving and protecting our pavement immediately, she said. A weigh station is a checkpoint along a highway to inspect vehicular weights and safety compliance criteria. A recent Congressional Budget Office study also found that trucks cause roughly 74-96 cents per ton-mile in unpriced external costs when it comes to pavement damage. Maxson said inspecting a truck can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the type of violations discovered. $52 billion worth of goods crossed the U.S.-Canada border in June 2015 alone. The unit, which is led by Lt. Tom Fitzgerald, only has 29 members, making it difficultto regularly operate the states dozens of weigh stations. Weigh stations are not always closed at night. 5+ Years, Please select ALL of your current, valid drivers licenses. Winter is 30 years old. In contrast, other trucks avoid the station for several reasons: the weigh stations are closed, the driver wants to avoid it, or the driver has a bypass device. Its a busy beat. The safest way to avoid weigh stations is through a bypass device. First, it is in error. MDOT also notes that in Michigan, trucks pay greater per-mile road user fees (in fuel taxes and registration costs) than cars do. Ideally, theyd only do so when the roads arent experiencing heavy traffic. Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain Secure Spots In NASCAR Championship 4. Wisconsin has 13 weight stations, but many of the states former weigh stations have permanently closed without having their buildings torn down. State Rep. Lane points to lobbying from some of the states biggest industries, and two in particular: agriculture and logging. The pickups have to stop at the weigh stations when they have a trailer on the backside. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Some highway roads may have certain weight limitations which means they are only able to handle a certain amount of weight before they break down. Along I-80 in Nebraska, though, the signage directs TRUCKS and . GVWR 11,500 pounds or more, unladen weight 8,001 pounds or more, or not equipped with an open box-type bed not exceeding 9 feet in length YES. In order to avoid the weigh stations, you'll need to know if they're going to pop up on your designated route. On any given day, chances are the team's not working one near you. Second, it makes some unkind implications. This was during the big debate over Proposal 1. For starters, there's a dozen of them in the state. Stuff like that happens. Although these limits are in place, there are situations where a truck may seek an oversized permit. 2230 Venice Blvd. The vast majority of that freight in Michigan, about two-thirds of it is carried by truck. Weigh stations are designed to check the weight of your vehicle using large scales, making sure vehicles such as large commercial trucks aren't overweight. Website. All told, carrier officers issued more than 38,000 citations in 2014, although just over 10% of those were for overweight violations. That means you could start seeing a few more stations displaying an open sign soon. They are licensed and taxed by weight, since more weight causes more highway wear and maintenance. Seemingly every time we drive past a weigh station on the highwayits closed. Truck drivers can use Trucker Path to check ahead and see if a weigh station is open or closed in real-time. Trucks that weigh over the regulated weight limit can cause irreparable damage to roads and bridges. When the truck's weight compresses the electric wire, it sends the electric current to a junction box. These bypass services are helpful, especially in the event of a closed weigh station. But just because a sign says "closed" doesn't mean the weigh station isn't in operation. For a full explanation on the service, the driver can refer to the video and documentation below. The station was replaced by a more modern facility near Beloit, Maxson said. Most states have requirements that any truck that weighs 10,000 pounds or more has to stop at any, and all, weigh stations. Parking: Shell with limited truck parking west of the scales, rest area at mm 25 east of the scales Who Has to Stop at a Weigh Station? Why are the weigh stations off the interstates seemingly always closed? By closing them more often than not, it's worth it to trucks to stay on the main routes where the weigh stations are. The one that failed miserably? The signs will tell you where the weigh station is and if it is open or closed. And he makes the occasional drive to Chicago along I-94. We can't have an accident, so now we have to pull everything through. ; (3) commercial buses carrying over 16 passengers; (4) any hazardous material haulers requiring placards. Most drivers would agree that they just want to be on the road and on their way rather than stopped at a weigh station waiting for their turn to roll over the scales. "So right now, they're almost backed out onto the highway. Plan your route in advance. We only stop trucks when we are available to give them attention, Maxson said. The regulations for oversized trucks, including their weight and size limits, vary per state. Here are some tips for voting. They're equipped with portable scales, and the same kind of "weigh-in-motion" sensors used at the weigh stations. That weigh station is open more often than not it seems and they do a lot of inspections there. Plus, they avoid opening the stations when most of us are actually on the roads. Jun 27, 1994. have any scales." The other three weigh stations are on southbound I-65 and on eastbound and. What are weigh stations' intended purpose, and why are they seemingly always closed on US highways? Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. The number one reason is for safety. Two reasons why trucks have to stop at weigh stations: safety and taxation. Unless its changed in the year or so since Ive been thru there. Maine DOT will set up at toll road entrances and exits and do roadside checks. Most of them I pass by are almost always closed.. Most weigh stations force drivers to "shut down" their operation if a truck weighs more than 6,000 pounds over maximum gross weight. Weigh stations are the primary mechanism we have for policing the trucks on our roads, and making sure theyre in compliance with a whole host of federal and state standards. At that time, State House Speaker Kevin Cotter said it was all about getting enough votes. But whenever it comes up for a vote in Lansing, it fails most recently in the State Senate late last year. Therefore, the checking and verification of such trucks are necessary. Why are weigh stations always closed? So seeing that closed sign made Ethan Winter wonder: Are we using all the resources we currently have to limit the damage done by large trucks to our roads?. In the US, state transportation regulation agencies operate weigh stations (often at the border between states) to check trucks for compliance. We can't have an accident, so now we. Total Weigh Stations & Truck Scales: 23. Semi-truck stops at weigh stations because they are required by law. Plus, he only has so many officers to work with. If a weigh station is closed, you won't have to stop and waste your time. An individual who enters the trucking industry as a fleet driver gradually uncovers all the rules and regulations. Daugherty admits its a lot to process all at once. So you kind of just have to follow where the big strong voice is.. Did classic rock band Grand Funk Railroad write their name on the Grand Trunk RR bridge in Flint. During one recent trip, Winter saw the sign for the weigh station in New Buffalo, near the Indiana border. That means more trucks on the road, especially in border states like Michigan. Use of Weigh Station Help: gcakia: Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion: 14: 12-19-2012 02:37 PM: Weigh Station Question: Huck.hickson: Class A Motorhome Discussions: 20: 05-24-2012 01:13 PM: Weigh Station Northern IL / Southern WI: ebg338: Workhorse and Chevrolet Chassis Motorhome Forum: 4: 03-06-2010 04:40 PM: Weigh Station Requirements . e.g. The primary reason the signs read "closed" is because State Patrol inspection staff is very limited, Maxson said. Many states collect taxes on transported goods based on weight. Whatever the engineering truth of the matter, the idea of lowering truck weight limits is a fairly popular one with the public. Weigh stations are generally closed during periods of heavy traffic, such as weekends or commuter drive times, and truck drivers are not required to stop at a closed weigh station. On top of that, Michigan allows so-called super loads exceeding that amount for a flat additional $50 a year. And I realized I could count the number of times it was open on one hand.. We cant have an accident, so now we have to pull everything through. You can have three or four people here at the scale and they turn the signs on open, she said. Went there on a Saturday afternoon (YES! Cookie Policy | In the past 20yrs of my driving . This is why we're not out during rush hour." The purpose of weigh stations is to keep the roads safe. CLOSED NOW. Stopping at weigh station are required by law for a couple of reasons. 20. Weigh stations are in place to ensure trucks do not exceed the maximum weight of 80,000 pounds. As were talking, motor carrier officer Nathan Daugherty is watching a constant stream of trucks rumble past at 30 miles an hour. And what that does is it shows up on the computer screen there, approximately how much they weigh.. Each company we work with has specific experience requirements for their drivers. Most states require that any commercial vehicle weighing over 10,000 pounds stop at a weigh station along the interstate. One question that comes up a lot in the surrounding debate: What role do all those heavy trucks play, and what should we do about them? Theres some dispute over those numbers, though, at least on the national level. Map out your trip ahead of time so that you can look up where the weigh stations will be along the way. "Thats like a weigh-in motion scale. It was closed. Sgt. So right now, theyre almost backed out onto the highway. It might be, it's in the side of a wooded area, 9 times of 10 it's open when I go through there, Why are Texas weigh stations always closed. Theres another set of scales back there for a stationary weigh-in and if necessary, a complete inspection. 2 2.why are truck weigh stations always closed? There are multiple reasons that the signs so often read closed, according to Sgt. Maryland weigh station The following vehicles must stop: (1) agricultural vehicles over 10,000 lbs. Without your consent employers will not be able to contact with job offers, would you like to opt-in now? Right now, there are 102 Michigan State Police officers doing commercial vehicle enforcement across 14 weigh stations statewide. The states busiest weigh station is on I-75 just south of Monroe. There is now an International Fuel Tax Agreement which allows truckers to file a quarterly tax report. Automobile Inspection Stations & Services Emissions Inspection Stations. It's critical . "So right now, they're almost backed out onto the highway. I met Pascoe at the Monroe weigh station on the northbound side of the freeway. The good news is that weigh stations aren't always going to be a required stop for you. Home. One gets a truck thats overloaded, one gets a truck thats got equipment violations and one does a random inspection. But it turns out this issue of how much heavy trucks damage Michigan roads and even how to measure that is an issue of much debate. Any trucker who has traveled the length of I 95 in Maine will tell you that it is a large state. Fines - An overweight truck can lead to a major fine or a ton of small fees and is all based on the state you are in. Changes in technology also play a role. ANDREA HOLECEK. The purpose of weigh stations is to keep the roads safe. and our 1. CLOSED NOW. Other sensors pick up more information: like how fast the truck is going, and how many axles it has. Coincidentally, the station on the southbound side was closed that day. It does not go to our roads.. lol. Lane thinks all that needs to change. Weigh stations are equipped with truck scales, some of which are weigh in motion and permit the trucks to continue moving while being weighed, while older scales require the trucks to stop. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Load cell systems. Privacy Policy. So seeing that "closed" sign made Ethan Winter wonder: "Are we using all the resources we currently have to limit the damage done by large trucks to our roads?" Weigh stations are the primary mechanism we have for policing the trucks on our roads, and making sure they're in compliance with a whole host of federal and state standards. Just how busy is it? In North America, weight stations aren't directly used for that purpose anymore. She thinks another one should too: the World War Two-era state law that allows trucks up to 164,000 pounds on Michigan roads. Jun 27, 1994. You can cancel at any time! Page 3 of 3 < Prev 1 2 3. Detroit renters with building problems do have options. But it also gives the inspectors a chance to peek at your truck to see if it's highway-worthy and/or to check your paperwork. The State Police run the operations, so we asked. I got there. But things might get a little better out on the highways. Here's how to protect yourselves. Why is there a weight limit for trucks? Why are truck weigh stations always closed? Truck scales come in 3 common types: 1. This section of I-75 between Toledo and Detroit is the second-busiest section of roadway for commercial traffic in the United States, said Michigan State Police Lieutenant Steve Pascoe, 1st district commanding officer with the MSPs commercial vehicle enforcement division. As our Detroit reporter, she is helping us expand our coverage of the economy, politics, and culture in and around the city of Detroit. So why is it that weigh stations never seem to be open? The Michigan Department of Transportation contends it's weight load per axle that matters, not gross truck weights. Can the Legislature get past politics and get to road funding? Arkansas - Any vehicle or combination of vehicle and trailer with a GVWR above 10,000lbs. 3 Years What are Weigh Stations for? These are also available for the driver in their Transflo Mobile+ application. 1 Year For more information, please see our Thats the case with the weigh station on northbound Interstate 90-39, just south of Madison. When traveling along the interstate, drivers should keep their eyes peeled for signs indicating a weigh station is up ahead. In addition to following weight regulations, there are many more reasons why commercial trucks should always be weighed.
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