# What's the point of truck weigh stations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [December 20, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781 "2013-12-20T00:40:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Portrunnerdaniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Portrunnerdaniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Portrunnerdaniel)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/1 "2013-12-20T00:40:40Z")
Here is some of the POLITICAL / BUREAUCRATIC issues that go along with State weigh stations, or, Port of Entries as some States call them… The Federal Government awards States millions, if not billions of dollars each year, for the purpose of highway construction & maintenance, IF the State will enforce FEDERAL size & weight requirements! therefore, weighing, measuring, & inspecting commercial motor vehicles (CMV’s) is a POLITICALLY motivated activity (ie $$$). ALSO… The trucking industry has a VERY powerful lobby in the the Congress, Senate, & all State legislators! SO… States have weigh stations to show the FED they are weighing, but, they DON’T weigh because the State trucking lobby doesn’t want them to… (yes this is true believe it or not) etc… It ALL-WAYS depends on the bureaucrats in power in each individual State. (ie Governor, Head of State DPS & DOT, etc…) ANOTHER thing to think about, _the weigh stations are more for the protection of the TRUCKING INDUSTRY then they are for protecting the public nowadays!!!_ they keep the wolfs from invading the hen house, so to speak. * * * LINK TO COLUMN: [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1637/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1637/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations) ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/2 "2013-12-20T00:57:40Z")
How do I put this… Nope; you’re wrong. Yes, that should do nicely. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/3 "2013-12-20T02:09:54Z")
Overweight vehicles cause damage to highways. The damage increases much faster than the increase in weight. Some trucking companies like to run trucks overweight because they make more money that way. So you need truck weigh stations so trucking companies will obey the law. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/4 "2013-12-20T02:52:03Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Overweight vehicles cause damage to highways. The damage increases much faster than the increase in weight. It always amuses me when I see those signs on trucks that say ‘This truck pays $14,000 in taxes each year.’ Um… Well, yeah. Because trucks cause so much damage to the roadway. (Seriously. Drive in the right lanes of the 5 near downtown L.A.) They’re paying taxes to repair the damage they do. Not to mention that unlike the overwhelming majority of cars (that are also subject to road taxes), those trucks are generating income. I have no sympathy. EDIT: I assume [this is the column](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1637/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations) that prompted this thread. . ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/5 "2013-12-20T04:09:27Z")
The OP’s argument seems weak to me. Voters complain about poorly maintained highways. So you’d figure state governments would be all in favor of fining as many truckers as possible to collect highway funds without having to raise taxes. My guess is the point of diminishing returns hits quickly though. If a state gets serious about weighing every truck, the truckers are quickly going to realize it and stop running overweight. Then the state has the expense of manning the stations without the benefit of collecting fines. So there’s probably some sweet spot where you maximize the fines. You want to do the weighing rarely enough that truckers think it’s an acceptable risk to run overweight and frequently enough that you catch as many of those truckers who took the risk as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Portrunnerdaniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Portrunnerdaniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Portrunnerdaniel)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/6 "2013-12-20T06:06:40Z")
Yes it is true in a large majority of States, I have 25+ years of service with State & Federal government agencies in this very field. ---
**Author:** ![Portrunnerdaniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Portrunnerdaniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Portrunnerdaniel)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/7 "2013-12-20T06:17:28Z")
Yes it is true in a large majority of States, I have 25+ years of service with State & Federal government agencies in this very field. The Original intent of weigh stations was to curtail overweight loads, and protect the roads & bridges as well as increase the safety of truck drivers & truck equipment. But technology is such nowadays to completely eliminate weigh stations with weigh-in-motion, automatic vehicle identification transponders, COMPANY/SHIPPER safety audit / compliance reviews & accountability, etc… all for a much lower expense to the tax payer! do a little research on the subject and you will realize it is all politics these days!!! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/8 "2013-12-20T14:42:50Z")
> [@Portrunnerdaniel](#): > > do a little research on the subject and you will realize it is all politics these days!!! The extra exclamation points are what really make your argument persuasive. Can you point us to some data that backs up your assertions? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/9 "2013-12-20T14:48:22Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > The extra exclamation points are what really make your argument persuasive. Can you point us to some data that backs up your assertions? > [@Portrunnerdaniel](#): > > do a little research on the subject and you will realize it is all politics these days!!! Yeah, if you had used only 3 exclamation points, I would not have been convinced. 5 does the trick. Who needs real data when punctuation is on your side??? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/10 "2013-12-20T16:07:45Z")
> [@Portrunnerdaniel](#): > > automatic vehicle identification transponders You should hear the howls of outrage in the aviation community when there is even a _suggestion_ of new equipment requirements. I can’t imagine that truckers would be very happy if they are required to install a transponder. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/11 "2013-12-20T16:59:12Z")
There was this little gem in Jillgat’s article: > [@](#): > > Truckers can also have this inspection done in most major cities to “pre-pass” without having to stop at the highway stations. Apparently, instead of stopping along the highway at stations, they can take care of it in the cities where they are already stopped. This would reduce the need to stop along the highway, making those stations rather redundant for most purposes. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2013, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/12 "2013-12-21T06:59:38Z")
**Portrunnerdanielr** , welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, we’re glad you found us. When you (or anyone) start a thread, it’s helpful to others to provide a link to the column in question. Saves search time and helps keep us on the same page. No biggie, I’ve edited a link at the bottom of your post, and you’ll know for next time. Second, as you may have noticed, we tend to be a very skeptical bunch, and prefer evidence to opinion, so you’ll find some rather pointed comments in response to your statements. We’re that way to everyone, so don’t take offense. But back-up evidence would be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2013, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/13 "2013-12-21T07:24:16Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Who needs real data when punctuation is on your side??? You have to be (P^%#\* kidding?!?! ---
**Author:** ![Portrunnerdaniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Portrunnerdaniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Portrunnerdaniel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/14 "2013-12-22T05:43:56Z")
Trucking companies pay to have transponders installed. visit [www.fmcsa.dot.gov](http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov), [www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21), [www.cvsa.org](http://www.cvsa.org), [www.prepass.com](http://www.prepass.com), [www.norpass.net](http://www.norpass.net), [www.helpinc.us](http://www.helpinc.us), greenline (Oregon), each individual State has “bypass” programs in place… All to keep the TRUCKING INDUSTRY happy, not to protect the roads & public. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/15 "2013-12-22T15:24:21Z")
This will all become moot when I perfect my cashmere truck tire. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/16 "2013-12-22T15:34:12Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > You have to be (P^%#\* kidding?!?! On _some_ boards, that would get you a warning for foul language. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/17 "2013-12-22T23:13:16Z")
> [@Portrunnerdaniel](#): > > Trucking companies pay to have transponders installed. visit [www.fmcsa.dot.gov](http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov), [www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21), [www.cvsa.org](http://www.cvsa.org), [www.prepass.com](http://www.prepass.com), [www.norpass.net](http://www.norpass.net), [www.helpinc.us](http://www.helpinc.us), greenline (Oregon), each individual State has “bypass” programs in place… All to keep the TRUCKING INDUSTRY happy, not to protect the roads & public. I’ve no doubt that installing transponders is convenient for the “industry”, but how does it serve to protect the roads and public any less than having every single truck pull into a weight station? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/18 "2013-12-23T20:12:13Z")
Reading the material at [fmcsa.gov](http://fmcsa.gov), [here](http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/facts-research/media/webinar-07-11-07-slides.pdf) is a presentation (.pdf) discussing the deployment plan and trial program. From slide 3: > [@](#): > > [ul] > [li]64 percent of all fatal truck crashes have the “Critical Reason” linked to the truck\*[/li][li]Truck numbers & mileage grow each year while roadside safety inspection resources remain constant[/li][li]The likelihood of a roadside inspection is far less than a truck being weighed[/li][LIST] > [li] 3 million annual truck inspections with a **73% Violation rate (25% OOS rate)**[/li][li]177 million weigh inspections [staffed and weigh-in-motion (WIM)] with 515,587 citations - a **0.29% violation rate** [/li][/ul] > [/LIST] Slide 4 > [@](#): > > [ul] > [li]Motor Carrier safety could be improved through dramatic increases in roadside safety inspections due to wireless inspections using proven technologies and processes.[/li][li]Driver and vehicle safety assessments occur frequently enough to ensure compliance while minimizing disruptions to safe and legal motor carrier transportation.[/li][/ul] Slide 15 > [@](#): > > [ul] > [li]Electronic safety checks will be frequent and expected[/li][li]Unsafe operators and vehicles won’t risk driving over HOS hours or with substandard equipment[/li][li]Number of unsafe CMV drivers and vehicles on road would be reduced[/li][li]Crashes related to unsafe CMV drivers and vehicle defects would be reduced[/li][/ul] No doubt electronic monitoring and enabling bypass of weigh stations is a benefit to trucking industries. Anything that reduces their overhead and in route interruptions helps them meet deliveries. But clearly safety was a critical motivation for the implementation of the plan, according to the folks enabling the plan (the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - FMCSA). ---
**Author:** ![postpic200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@postpic200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postpic200)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/19 "2013-12-24T15:56:17Z")
They not only weigh trucks, they also check logs, permits, and in some cases do vehicle inspections. I used to escort wide loads and some of them were overweight also, so we needed permits where were checked at the weigh station. Also my dad, a long time long haul trucker, would have his truck inspected at the weigh station when he drove into California, he never had a problem because he made sure his truck was properly serviced, but if you got a ding what at a station it was a very expensive fix, after all you couldn’t leave until your truck was fixed, I don’t know if you could turn around and leave the state, the way dear old dad make it sound if you didn’t fix it you couldn’t leave. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781/20 "2013-12-24T16:36:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: > 64 percent of all fatal truck crashes have the “Critical Reason” linked to the truck\* > Truck numbers & mileage grow each year while roadside safety inspection resources remain constant > The likelihood of a roadside inspection is far less than a truck being weighed > 3 million annual truck inspections with a 73% Violation rate (25% OOS rate) > 177 million weigh inspections [staffed and weigh-in-motion (WIM)] with 515,587 citations - a 0.29% violation rate That violation rate sounds pretty high, and I think implies that 73% of trucks on the road have safety or equipment violations. I think it should be taken in to account that there’s a strong bias as far as what trucks get inspected. A good commercial vehicle inspector can probably tell as a truck pulling through the station scales whether is needs an inspection or not. So while trucks that get a through inspection are more likely to have violation, every truck that gets weighed (exception of pre-pass of course) is getting an ‘inspection’. So yeah, some trucks with pre-pass don’t get inspected as often. I would say that the manpower is not there do it, anyway. > [@postpic200](#): > > They not only weigh trucks, they also check logs, permits, and in some cases do vehicle inspections. > > I used to escort wide loads and some of them were overweight also, so we needed permits where were checked at the weigh station. Also my dad, a long time long haul trucker, would have his truck inspected at the weigh station when he drove into California, he never had a problem because he made sure his truck was properly serviced, but if you got a ding what at a station it was a very expensive fix, after all you couldn’t leave until your truck was fixed, I don’t know if you could turn around and leave the state, the way dear old dad make it sound if you didn’t fix it you couldn’t leave. You’re put out of service, yo ass is parked in the lot until it’s fixed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-truck-weigh-stations/676781.md?page=2)