OOIDA Call to Action - Minnesota Members
April 6, 2007

Your state senators on the Transportation Committee have already approved a change in Minnesota state law that would permit truckers hauling timber, forest products and raw farm products to load considerably heavier on state and county roads.

Specifically, SF438 allows gross weights to 90,000 pounds on six-axle trucks and up to 97,000 pounds on seven-axle trucks.

We are bringing this to your attention because these kinds of special arrangements have a way of causing problems down the road for all truckers.

In terms of safety and highway or bridge life, state and county roads are not the best places for heavier trucks. Invariably, in states that allow heavier weights on non-interstate routes, local folks start screaming at lawmakers to get them off those roads and onto the interstates. And once a particular group can haul heavier, others want to do it as well.

Given trucking’s track record of giving away any increased profits that could come from heavier weights, we’re not in a hurry to go down that road.

To discuss the impact of this bill with your senator, click here. Enter your address, ZIP code and click on search. Then click on the link below your senator’s picture to connect you with your senator’s home page where his or her contact information is listed.