OOIDA Call to Action - Connecticut Members
March 8, 2005

Heads up, Connecticut truckers! A handful of proposals affecting truckers under review in the Joint Transportation Committee need your attention.

Among the proposed legislation are efforts that would require that trucks drive slower than other vehicles; that trucks stay to the right on multilane highways; require that the Greenwich weigh station be open more frequently to increase truck inspections; that trucks are prohibited from using engine brakes; and that fines are increased for truckers traveling illegally on the Merritt Parkway.

Specifically, the proposals attempt to accomplish the following:

• HB6206 would limit large trucks to 55 mph on rural interstates. Currently, tractor-trailers driving those stretches of highway can travel up to 65 mph - the same limit as all other vehicles.
• HB6210 would force trucks to use only the far right lane on multilane highways.
• SB344 and SB558 would require that the Greenwich weigh station on I-95 be open 16 hours a day to increase truck inspections. SB344 includes wording that the hours of operation rotate on a regular basis.
• SB331 targets trucks that use engine brakes, specifically naming "Jake Brakes."
• HB5466 would hike the fine for truckers who illegally travel on the Merritt Parkway from $70 to $250.

The committee has until March 28 to pass any or all of the proposals to the full House for further consideration. Until then, it is important you contact as many panel members as you can to let them know how you feel about these issues.

For contact information, visit http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/MemberList.asp?comm_code=TRA&doc_type=. You can also call OOIDA's Membership Department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up.