Weight regulations are in place to make sure we're all safer on the roadway. There is a direct correlation between how much a vehicle weighs and it's ability to successfully maneuver situations like quick lane changes, stopping abruptly because traffic slows or a car swerves into our lane, and other obstacles faced on the roadway. For example, at the time this article is being written, we're litigating a case in Fort Worth where cars were stopped in traffic and an wheeler plowed into the stopped vehicles, killing several and injuring more.
In a perfect world where the laws of physics were different, an wheeler would weigh as much as a passenger car, and would be able to carry heavier loads while still maintaining adequate braking distances and maneuverability. Unfortunately, the dynamics of transporting heavy loads are a bit like standing in the middle of a triangle and trying to touch all three corners at one time: the closer you get to one, the further you are from another. In terms of trucking, the bigger and stronger you make the tractor, the more weight it's capable of carrying, and the greater a potential danger it presents.
To put that in perspective, most passenger cars weigh around 3, pounds and pickup trucks typically weigh around 5, Before you drive, make sure you know the regulations of every state that you are driving through to avoid any penalties, fines, tickets, or court fees. There is not a standard cost for an overweight ticket. It changes in cost depending on the state you are driving through, as well as the gross weight of your truck.
In general, if you are over by only a few pounds, the ticket will be minimal, and if you are overweight by thousands of pounds, your ticket will reflect that. Some states have a flat fee for ranges that you are over, while others will charge you per pound. Vehicle weigh stations are not optional for most truck drivers, but they can be planned and prepared for before starting a trip. If a driver tries to push their luck by avoiding or bypassing weigh stations they can be fined, arrested, and might lose their CDL certification.
You can create a profile with CDL to learn more. Toggle navigation Call Now! News Partner With Us. Create a Driver Profile Sign In. Find a Job Find a School. Request Info. Do truck drivers have to stop at every weigh station? What do weigh stations check for? Who needs to stop at vehicle weigh stations? Let's take a look at some of the more common forms. Load-cell systems are the most popular technology used. Each cell is comprised of a durable material such as steel or concrete with one or more strain gauges attached to or embedded in it.
A strain gauge consists of a wire or wires that transmits a mild electric current. As the cell is subjected to weight, the wire in the strain gauge is altered or compressed slightly. The change in the wire results in a difference in the resistance to the current passing through it. The signal from each cell is sent to a junction box , where sensors measure the variance in the current and calculate the amount of weight the scale is supporting.
The strain gauges in load cells can be either compression or tension based. A compression strain gauge is based on how much the cell compresses when pressure is applied, while a tension strain gauge is based on the slight change in shape of the cell caused by the weight.
A bending-plate system uses metal plates with strain gauges attached to them. As weight is applied to the scale, the plates are subjected to stress. The majority of states only require trucks and commercial vehicles that weigh over 10, pounds in gross weight to stop at weigh stations.
To identify exceptions to this rule, truck drivers should research the local requirements and regulations of the states they will be hauling through. Since weight limits vary state by state, trucks typically get weighed when crossing state lines. In some jurisdictions, trucks may also be weighed when leaving a cargo loading area or just before entering a delivery center. In the United States, most states require trucks to stop at all open weigh stations. If the driver decides not to stop, they are at risk of being pulled over by a state trooper or law enforcement often waiting near the highway re-entry ramp, ticketed, and made to return to the scale.
Weigh stations are generally closed during periods of heavy traffic, such as weekends or commuter drive times, and truck drivers are not required to stop at a closed weigh station. There are different ways for a trucker to tell if a weigh station is open, such as apps like Truckers Path Pro, but most reliably are the indicator lights and other markers on the weigh station signs themselves. Weigh stations are an important part of the job for truck drivers and they should be paid attention to.
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