7/17/03-A bill to restrict semis from
driving in the left lane has died.
Under SB384, trucks weighing more than 24,000 pounds would be
required to stay out of the far left-hand lane when driving on “all
interstate highways, freeways or expressways within the urbanized areas … having
three or more lanes of traffic proceeding in the same direction.”
It was combined with a broad transportation bill approved by
the General Assembly in May. However, Gov. Bob Holden has since vetoed
the package.
2/18/03-Sen. Jon Dolan,
R-St. Charles, has introduced a bill to restrict semis from driving
in the left lane.
Under the measure, trucks weighing more than 24,000 pounds would
be required to stay out of the far left-hand lane when driving on "all
interstate highways, freeways or expressways within the urbanized areas
... having three or more lanes of traffic proceeding in the same
direction," Dolan wrote.
Trucks would be permitted to merge left in certain situations, including
instruction by emergency personnel or another vehicle entering the roadway.
SB384 has been sent to the Senate Transportation Committee. It is vital
you contact the committee members to let them know what lane restrictions
would mean to road safety.
For contact information, visit www.senate.state.mo.us/03INFO/comm/tran.htm,
or call OOIDA's membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll
look it up.
For Senate bill status, call (573) 751-3824.