By: Tim Schneider
The City of Toledo is re-implementing its street weight limit enforcement program. Weight limits have not been enforced on Toledo routes since 2008. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is engaging its members as the City evaluates its current designation of weight limits on Toledo streets upon re-implementation of this program.
Load Limit Map
As part of the program, the City recently purchased 25 portable truck scales, enough scales to weigh a single truck, at a total cost of $120,000. Half of the funding was appropriated from the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) fund. The CIP fund has been at the center of discussion over street repairs and a ballot issue to increase Toledo’s income tax.
Under the newly implemented program, suspected violators will be pulled over by the Toledo Police Department (TPD). A TPD employee will conduct the weighing of suspected violators using the scales at designated weigh locations. A citation may be issued if the driver is in violation of the weight limits, resulting in possible court appearances and/or fines.
In an effort to begin addressing the concerns of local businesses, the Chamber hosted a discussion on April 12 with the City’s Transportation Division. Participants included the Chamber’s manufacturer round table and members in the transportation industry. This allowed them the opportunity to share feedback and suggest changes including:
Advocacy on this issue is important to local businesses as they look to control their overall costs of doing business and the transportation industry addresses a driver shortage. It was pointed out to City officials that when a driver receives a citation, it is often the driver’s responsibility to pay any associated fine. This may cause a significant hardship for some drivers and make it more difficult for companies to attract employees. The Chamber continues to proactively work with the City and engage its members as this program is implemented and changes are considered. It is necessary to strike a balance between maintaining the City’s roads and flow of commerce in and through our community.
For more information, please contact Tim Schneider, Manager, Local Government Advocacy, at 419-243-8191 or tim.schneider@toledochamber.com.
Under the newly implemented program, suspected violators will be pulled over by the Toledo Police Department (TPD). A TPD employee will conduct the weighing of suspected violators using the scales at designated weigh locations. A citation may be issued if the driver is in violation of the weight limits, resulting in possible court appearances and/or fines.
In an effort to begin addressing the concerns of local businesses, the Chamber hosted a discussion on April 12 with the City’s Transportation Division. Participants included the Chamber’s manufacturer round table and members in the transportation industry. This allowed them the opportunity to share feedback and suggest changes including:
- Increasing limits on certain arteries to avoid trucks being routed unnecessarily,
- More visible weight limit signage along particular routes, and
- Avoiding the appearance of aggressive enforcement at interstate exits.
Advocacy on this issue is important to local businesses as they look to control their overall costs of doing business and the transportation industry addresses a driver shortage. It was pointed out to City officials that when a driver receives a citation, it is often the driver’s responsibility to pay any associated fine. This may cause a significant hardship for some drivers and make it more difficult for companies to attract employees. The Chamber continues to proactively work with the City and engage its members as this program is implemented and changes are considered. It is necessary to strike a balance between maintaining the City’s roads and flow of commerce in and through our community.
For more information, please contact Tim Schneider, Manager, Local Government Advocacy, at 419-243-8191 or tim.schneider@toledochamber.com.
 | As Manager for Local Government Advocacy, Tim Schneider advocates for local policies and laws that safeguard and foster a pro-business environment in the Toledo Region. Tim has more than 10 years of legislative and public policy experience with the local, state and federal levels of government. |
Please contact Emily Dammeyer, Communications Manager, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce to submit a story for our blog.
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