Title
Adoption of Resolution Opposing House Bill 4358 - Michigan Vehicle Code Amendment
Body
Whereas, the City of Rochester Hills recognizes the importance of trucks to the Michigan economy and the need to transport goods and materials efficiently and economically; however, House Bill (HB) 4358 is fiscally irresponsible and poses a great threat to public safety; and
Whereas, HB 4358 proposes to increase the length of trucks on Michigan roads from 59 to 65 feet, allow trucks to travel over any road in the state, and reduce the penalty of overweight trucks to $250; and
Whereas, the State of Michigan and the City of Rochester Hills have billions of dollars invested in road infrastructure, local road repair and maintenance; allowing increased truck length and reducing the penalty for truck weight will accelerate the deterioration of state and local roads which are already among the poorest condition in the nation; and
Whereas, it is very expensive to design, construct, and maintain streets of adequate strength to handle the excessive weight of large trucks; one legal 80,000-pound tractor-trailer does as much damage to pavement as 9,600 cars--damage that increases exponentially as a truck's weight rises. Many studies recognize that trucks do not pay their fair share of road taxes relative to the amount of damage they cause to road pavement; and
Whereas, many older roads, subdivision streets and intersections were designed for trucks 53 feet long or less, based on turning radius, and cannot accommodate significantly longer vehicles; and
Whereas, the $250 penalty set forth in HB 4358 will be virtually meaningless to most trucking companies and is out of balance with the damage done to state and local roadways by overweight trucks; penalties must be large enough to encourage truckers to stay on designated routes and observe weight limits; removing judicial review encourages repeat offenses and regular abuse of weight limitations; and
Whereas, local governments are in the best position to evaluate which roads can safely handle truck traffic. To restrict the ability of the City of Rochester Hills to control where trucks travel within our City is fiscally irresponsible and will cause grave danger to citizens, and private and public property.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the City of Rochester Hills urges the Michigan legislature and the Governor to oppose HB 4358, a bill which is bad public policy and not in the interests of the citizens of Michigan.
Be It Further Resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Governor, the Senate Transportation Committee, the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders and members of the Michigan legislature who represent our residents.