Evening star., 1953-12-06
Virginia Group
Urges Reforms
In Truck Laws
Proposals Set Stage
For AII-Out Fight
In "a Assembly
BY the Assoeiatsd Press

OIIlIuSIluSQ 1dI I"1CdN1AAAAS NAA0AASOS
in the regulation and taxation
of trucks travelling Virginia
highways, thus setting the stage
for what promises to be an all
out fight in the 1854 General
Assembly.
The proposed changes have
the threefold purpose of provid-
in" more revenue for the State,
m. ing for greater road safety
and giving truckers the right to
carry heavier loads.
In giSt, the overall effect would
permit trucks to carry more pro-
vided they pay more for using
the highways.
Dissent Voiced.
The report of the commission,
headed by Col. Robert A. MARI
of Virginia Military Institute,
included these major recon-
mendations:
/. Increase the maximum
weight limit from $4,000 to
$4,000 poundS-a suggestion
that drew strong dissent from
three of the nine members of
the commission.
2. Abolish the current 2 per
cent gross receipts tax that ap-
plies to most of the trucking
industry and replace it with a
new weight-diStance tax appli-
cable to all forms of heavy
trucking.
8. Abolish. except on license
tags, the reciprocity agreements
which Virginia has with other
States.
4. Increase the tax on Diesel
fuel two cents above the tax on
gasoline.
S. Increase the legal length of
tire heaviest class of trucks from
As feet, exclusive of coupling, to
so feet, including coupling.
s. Maintain the present limit
Of $4,000 pounds for axles, but
reduce the limit on tandem axles
from $4,000 to $4,000 pounds.
Use of Radar Urged.
Z. Empower and urge the State
police to use radar devices to
enforce speed limits for both
trucks and automobiles.
s. Trucking associations should
do more self policing to weed out
reckless drivers.
9. Trucks carrying explosives
should be subject to greater
penalties for speeding and reck-
less driving.
10. Continue the present
method of distributing second
airy highway funds, but instruct
the highway department to- con-
tinue exploring avenues toward
q better method.
II. Empower the division of
motor vehicles to supply locali-
ties with records that would as
Sist in the collection of rolling
stock" taxes levied locally on
trucking companies.
These were the brunt of the
recommendations contained in
the commissions 92-page re-
port, which also included
minority statement diSagreeing
with the advocacy of the ma
jority of raising the weight limit
and increasing the allowable
lengths.
The minority, Delegate Henry
B. Gordon of Charlottesville and
Charles D. Price of Stanley and
Senator George w. Palmer of
Green Bay, took the view that
liberalizing these provisions
would bring more rapid de-
terioration" of the highway sys-
tenn.
Grave Error Cited.
They said they though it would
be a grave error" to make it
possible for heavier trucks to
travel the roads. The trio said
the move would open the door
"to continued pressure by the
truckers for further increases
in the future"
They foresaw another problem
in that cities and towns would
have a tougher time handling
bigger and longer trucks.
On all the other recommended
tions Mr.. Gordon, Mr.. Price and
Mr.. Palmer went along with the
majority.
The increased load limits have
long been sought by trucking
concerns operating in Virginia |
and have. long been opposed by
the railroads. The weight-diS-
tance tax and an end to reci-
procity agreements have been
advocated by the railroads and |
opposed by the truckers.
Thus, the recommendations |
represent a partial victory and |
a partial defeat for both groups. |
The recommendations are sure
to be a lively topic of discussion
when the general assembly con-
venes in Richmond next month
when open hearings will be held
on the proposals.
Designated Highways.
The maximum loaded truck
weights allowed on Virginia high
ways have been raised, since
1910, progressively from 10000
to $4,000 pounds. A graduated
scale limits weights within this
maximum to different types of
trucks. The heaviest class of
trucks is allowed only on certain
designated heavy duty highways.
The six member majority
which recommended raising the
limit to 56,800-which the high
way department said it did not
object to-Suggested retention
of the principle of designated
highways.
The majority took the view
that increasing the limit won't
damage roads SO as to increase
the cost of maintenance. An
increase in damage will be ruled
out, they said, because the re-
IS L. ..