Why must trucks be weighed at weigh stations along the highway, what is the point?

robboy

The following is one city's regulations on load limits. The idea is that certain roads are made for certain loads of traffic, and various vehicles are built for certain load weights. Exceeding the limits degrades the road that much faster. http://www.ci.longview.wa.us/government/muncode/longvw11/longvw1168.htm Aug 21 05, 7:26 PM

Brinjal

They don't just check for overall weight but check weight distribution on each axle to make sure the load is balanced. Aug 22 05, 1:09 AM

dejavucub4

They also check the overall safety of the truck, tires, rims, airbrakes, etc., as well as the driver's qualifications, endorsements, doubles, tripples, tanker, hazmat, AKA hazardous materials and safety of the driver, too many hours, sleepy, driving under influence of alcohol or drugs. Aug 22 05, 2:47 PM

dg_dave

Those load limits are 12,000 lbs on the steer axle, 34,000 on the drive axles (combined), and 34,000 on the trailer axles (combined), equaling 80,000 total lbs. If two are under and one is over (i.e., 12,500-33,500-33,500), you are in violation, even if your total weight (in this case 79,500) is below 80,000. Yes, they check logs as well, and if it is not updated to the last type change (off duty, sleeper, driving, on duty-not driving, in that order), you are also in violation. Aug 25 05, 1:46 AM