Legislative Watch 
LEGISLATIVE
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8/30/06-Delegate Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, is calling for truckers caught with over-height vehicles at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to dig deeper into their pockets.
Heftier fines and warning letters to trucking companies last year helped briefly curtail incidents of too-tall trucks attempting passage in the westbound tube along Interstate 64 near Norfolk, VA. In recent months, however, wayward trucks have been making their way back on to the route, The Virginian-Pilot reported. The result has been more congestion.
To address the issue, Oder is calling for getting tougher with problem trucks.
Virginia law calls for $500 fines and authorizes judges to add three demerit points to a commercial driver’s license. It takes 18 demerits in one year to trigger a license suspension.
Oder said he wants fines for truckers who ignore height restrictions to be doubled to $1,000 and allow judges to tack on five demerit points.
Stiffer penalties took effect July 1, 2005, when the fine was increased from $85 to $500 and three demerit points were added to existing deterrent measures.
Oder said he is working on legislation to hike the penalties for problem trucks that could be considered during the special session on transportation scheduled to begin Sept. 25.
