Understanding the Role of Trucking Weigh Stations

When trucks are going across the country, out in the middle of open highways, and far from either their starting point or destination, you may wonder who is monitoring them. They can seemingly do whatever they want.

But they are monitored by signs that you’ve probably seen, but likely ignored unless you’re a truck driver: We’re talking about truck weigh stations.

What Do Weigh Stations Do?

Weigh stations play a critical role in ensuring that large commercial trucks are operating safely.

Truck drivers may not have the time, motivation, or knowledge, to recognize mechanical problems, much less fix them on the open roads. But truck weigh stations do; they are often staffed by mechanics, with the equipment needed to make emergency repairs that allow the truck to get to wherever it is going safely.

Weigh stations also keep truck drivers from knowingly and purposely avoiding servicing, as stopping to service a truck takes time, which costs money.

Stations are manned by both government employees as well as mechanics certified in making the necessary repairs. The inspectors will do thorough multipoint inspections of the vehicle.

Compliance With the Laws

The inspectors at these stations will go over the truck top to bottom to make sure it is complying with all applicable state and federal laws (which is why the stations are often located at or around state borders). For example, the inspectors will make sure that the devices that measure how long the driver has been on the road at one time have not been doctored and that the driver has not been exceeding the maximum number of hours that can be driven at one time.

The inspectors will even do an inspection of the drivers themselves to make sure they are sober, alert, healthy, and have up to date licenses.

Checking the Cargo and Weight

Inspectors may check inside the cargo bed to make sure that the load is secure and loaded properly. They will also weigh the bed, as states have differing laws on the maximum weight that the truck can carry. They may also inspect the maximum height of the truck, so that it doesn’t threaten bridges or overpass highways.

The inspectors can and do stop truck drivers and trucks that aren’t complying with laws.

Approval and Compliance

With advanced approval, and a good prior record, some trucks or companies can get excused from stopping at weigh stations. Some states have turned to virtual or remote inspections, where a truck’s weight and information are transmitted virtually to state offices.

Absent prior approval, most weigh stations will have highway patrol or police that make sure that trucks stop, and they will track down and turn around any trucks that try to drive past the weigh stations without stopping.

Contact the Tampa personal injury lawyers at Barbas, Nunez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian and schedule a consultation today if you have been injured by a commercial truck, or a semi truck.

Source:

fdot.gov/mcsaw/weighstationlisting.shtm