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Area truckers concerned over state regulations
By Scott Nicholson
Area truckers are wondering whether size matters as they have
raised concerns about the allowable lengths of tractor trailers
on rural roads.
N.C. Sen. Steve Goss (D-45) said the issue came to his attention
in December when several constituents called him saying they had
received tickets for using 53-foot-long semi-trailers on local
roads. The N.C. Highway Patrol issued citations for $200 for violations,
and confusion has arisen over where the trucks are allowable.
Goss asked the Attorney General’s office for an interpretation
of the existing statues and the state Division of Motor Vehicles
is also exploring the maps that determine which highways are prohibited
for longer trucks.
A letter from transportation secretary Lyndo Tippett said, “Owners
and drivers have asserted that the Department of Transportation
and the Highway Patrol have misconstrued the law in determining
that semitrailers over 50 feet may not be used on the local highway
system. The highways where use of semi trailers over 50 feet in
length is currently prohibited are identified in so-called ‘red-line
maps’ published by the Department of Transportation and used
by the Highway Patrol enforcement activity.”
Goss said the problem was particularly hindering during the Christmas
tree season, when some truckers hauling trees were issued citations.
Ewing Harmon, president of the Watauga Nurserymen’s Association,
said he’d heard of the problem but he’d not received
any citations while using a 53-foot tractor trailer for hauling.
Goss said three-quarters of the tractor trailers in use were 53
feet long and he was concerned about the economic impact of the
limitation.
“I understand this has been a long-standing law,” Goss
said, noting the “red-line maps” show such roads all
over the state. “Some of the truckers were becoming a little
leery of traveling on certain roads in Watauga and Ashe (counties).
There are absolutely roads all over North Carolina where a 53-foot
trailer is illegal.”
Goss said he was encouraged that Tippett and the Highway
Patrol were taking action to address the current restrictive use
of semitrailers over 50 feet in length. “I’ve been told
that’s (53-foot trailer) the norm,” he said.
“Certainly, we want to emphasize the safety issue, but obviously
these have been used for a long time. I have been assured that
safety goals can be met by ensuring that equipment is up to standard
and speeding laws are enforced properly.”
Goss said if the Attorney General doesn’t issue a favorable
ruling on the interpretation, it could be addressed by the General
Assembly in May.
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