Part Three: Increase enforcement of traffic laws on community roads

Dangerous driving conditions caused by large trucks is the leading safety problem on Route 41. However, safety could immediately be much improved by implementing the third part of SAVE's three part solution, "Better Enforcement".

The solution is very much within the local citizenry's control. By demanding better enforcement of already existing laws from the township elected officials, a much greater degree of safety can be achieved.

In Philadelphia, in just over a years time, when the police and the traffic court got really tough on unsafe trucks, big wrecks were down 69% (see "War on Dangerous Trucks", Philadelphia Inquirer) And Philadelphia did not build new highways or widen any roads to achieve this.

They simply started enforcing existing laws. We can do this too along Route 41.

What Needs To Be Done On Route 41

Enforce Existing Speed Laws — Although the maximum speed limit on any part of Route 41 is 55 mph, anyone who as been on the open stretches of the road knows that most trucks far exceed the limit. Many highways have a lower speed limit for large trucks.

Enforce Safety Violations — Chief of Parkesburg Police, Brian Sheller stated that when their traffic unit spot checks trucks "It is rare that some type of violation is not found." Since the Philadelphia police have started stricter enforcement, they have pulled 1603 trucks off the road for safety violations in just one year. (see "War on Dangerous Trucks", Phila Inquirer)

Keep Weigh Stations Open More Often — There are a number of designated weigh stations along Route 41. These stations could be manned much more frequently than they are today. If a township or borough does not have the equipment or qualified inspectors that municipality can hire both from another area. The Parksburg Traffic Unit has been contracted by numerous municipalities, including Highland and West Fallowfield Townships, to set up their portable truck weigh station. Any federally certified police weigh master may spotcheck any commercial vehicle at any time. The weigh station can be paid for by the municipality or funded privately.

What Would Be Achieved

If trucks were forced to go no faster than the posted speeds along Route 41 many would find it too slow a route to take and would travel on the larger roads built especially for them. Those that chose to take Route 41 would be much less dangerous.

With constant, consistent use of weigh stations checking for overloads and other safety violations, many trucks would avoid Route 41 because it would be too costly in both time and money. Those trucks that chose to use Route 41 would most likely be the safer ones.

How Can It Be Accomplished

Citizens can demand of their township that greater local and state police surveillance for speed infractions be dedicated to Route 41. If a township does not have a police force they can contract with another township or municipality police force to work in their district. Avondale, Atglen and Honeybrook all contract the Parksburg Police to work in their communities at certain times.

Ultimately, however, enforcement of state laws on state roads should be a state responsibility. The Governor and legislature should appropriate enough funds to properly enforce these laws. If only a fraction of the approximately $250 million PennDOT wants to spend building a new highway is used for enforcement, we will be a long way towards making our local roads safe again.