Heavy Trucks: Danger to Kids, Families
September 12th, 2007 by jeff
I caught this story about how trucks given permits to exceed their weight limits are driving on local roads and, possibly, doing damage to bridges. In the wake of the Minnesota bridge collapse, it has become common to see stories - particularly on local news - about the potential collapse of a bridge in our area.
Given the fact that the bridge collapse in Minnesota was the first serious, non-weather-related bridge collapse in like, forever, it would seem the odds are rather long that the same will occur around these parts anytime soon. But, in typical “let’s scare the crap out of everyone because it drives ratings” fashion, stories persist.
I’m not saying this isn’t a serious issue or that it isn’t newsworthy. It just seems odd to me that these trucks have been doing this for YEARS on our roadways and I can’t recall a single story about them until after the tragedy in Minnesota.
Setting my little rant aside, what I found a little funny about the story was this statement from the Texas Conference on Urban Counties:
“Overweight trucks stress those bridges and can lead to catastrophic failure,” the group said through a written statement. “These are bridges that families and school buses use every day. We are fortunate we have not had a catastrophe here due to overweight trucks.”
The wording makes me giggle a bit. I know they are looking for the biggest impact, but I can’t help wanting to ask, “Does that include school buses that are empty except for the driver or only those with children on them?” And while I’m at it, “What about singles, unmarried couples, married couples without children and pets?”
:)
Yeah & how come no one has a shred of sympathy for the overweight trucks?!?! Surely with a little diet and exercise…
It’s like the old joke about the headline in the New York Times if the world were coming to end.
“World to end tomorrow
Women and children hardest hit”