As it stands, the government will only seize a vehicle for a few very serious offenses. If it’s being used to traffic drugs or weapons, if it was the cause of a deliberate fatality, or perhaps if you held up a bank and used your truck as a getaway van, you could reasonably suspect that the government might not let you keep on driving. It seems pretty reasonable that these offenses could warrant seizing a vehicle, but one offense may get added to that list, and it might just surprise you.
If NY Senator Tony Avella gets his way, the government could have the right to seize your truck for driving on non-designated truck routes. Yes, that’s right, if you drive through a quiet neighborhood, it won’t just be a fine, it’ll also cost your truck.
Now, to be fair, Senator Avella’s proposal says that this would be a punishment for repeat offenders only, but what he means is this: If you are pulled over in a residential area driving a vehicle that weighs over 10,000lbs three times in an 18 month period, then law enforcement can seize and keep your vehicle.
“One of the most frequent quality of life complaints my office receives is illegal truck traffic,” Avella said. “The incidence of illegal truck traffic has increased dramatically throughout my district and beyond. All too often, these huge trucks and tractor-trailers drive through quiet residential streets with little or no regard for residents, creating traffic congestion, noise, pollution and vibrations that shake the foundation of homes.”
Despite previous legislative efforts that have increased the penalties issued to truck drivers for truck route violations, many trucking companies and drivers disregard these fines as merely the cost of doing business,” Avella said. “Therefore, the only other option is to seize the vehicles of perpetual violators of the truck traffic regulations.”
Really, Senator? This is “The only other option?” I don’t know any drivers who have so much money lying around that they think paying fines costing hundreds of dollars is merely “the cost of doing business.” Perhaps it might behoove you to find out why so many drivers have to drive through these areas in the first place. They certainly aren’t getting fined by choice.
Next Story: Would-Be Driver Wants A Job, Gets A DUI Instead
Source: Fleetowner
Michael says
This sounds crazy! Im from NY and i refuse to drive my truck there if this rule goes through. If every driver did this we’ll see how much business they’ll get, and how quickly they’ll change that rule back if this does go through. Truck drivers make the world go round.
Jim says
Truckers should boycott New York, See how Mr Tony likes that. Just a week with no trucks is going to hurt. No Trucks stopping in New York
iz says
nyc truck route are almost impossible and its 2 points each one and first 250 then 500 then 1000 they think truckers enjoy cruising around nyc so the tolls are not enough and they take your licence truckers unite
JP in NY says
Tony Avella is in Queens (Bayside to be more precise). There are very few truck routes in Bay side, yet there are scores of businesses that, guess what,receive deliveries via truck. Perhaps Mr. Avella will pass on going out to eat, since every restaurant there gets truck deliveries, yetmany are off designated routes. Or perhaps he wants to lose Teamsters support, who traditionally vote Democrat.
Ron says
Which area does he represent? I can only guess? maybe there is not signs or directions as in a lot of places in Ny.
Rob says
“vibrations that shake the foundation of homes”? What are they living in, refrigerator boxes? Is there a class somewhere that politicians have to go through that teaches them how to become exaggerating (or flat out lying) emotion playing arsewipes?
Sen. Avella…I live under a flight path for USAF F-16s and those bad boys break the sound barrier right over my property every day. I’ve had pictures fall off my walls. My neighbor has cracks in her drywall from it. And I’ve never heard anybody complain about it because we appreciate the job those pilots are doing FOR US! Maybe you and your constituents should take a lesson from that since those trucks you hate so much supply you with the necessities that allow you to survive in that cesspool of a state you live in.
Freaking government jackwagons.
Brian says
“One of the most frequent quality of life complaints my office receives is illegal truck traffic,” Avella said. “The incidence of illegal truck traffic has increased dramatically throughout my district and beyond. All too often, these huge trucks and tractor-trailers drive through quiet residential streets with little or no regard for residents, creating traffic congestion, noise, pollution and vibrations that shake the foundation of homes.”
So truck traffic is a quality of life issue? The senator is right. We should really start having regard for everyone else and stop congesting traffic, just as they do for us *rolleyes* I’ll support this bill if it is paired with a bill that allows trucks to disregard 4 wheelers driving stupid and just drive through them. Only then we’ll see a driving attitude adjustment.
Dennis says
To add insult to injury,and in case some of you are unaware,in New York State,you can get fined for going under a bridge posted lower than height of your trailer,even though the bridge is high enough for you to clear!!!!Example:In Tonawanda,New York, there is a bridge crossing a road to a power plant.Even though trucks have been passing under this bridge for decades accident free,the local municipality thinks we are fair game to replenish their coffers. I wrote to the NYS DOT and received a reply from Mengistreab Debessay,P.E. stating that bridges are marked one foot lower to account for trailers bouncing,roads heaving in the winter and repaving. If that isn’t idiotic,I don’t know what is.Soooooo,for those of you heading East out of Buffalo,NY,getting off at Batavia,NY and heading down Route63 to catch I390,that bridge you pass under on 63just before Route 36 can possibly get you a ticket if the local municipality chose to do so.I just don’t think they are desperate enough or devious to do so.
December says
Theres alot of drivers who dont pay attention to signs, who swear by thier GPS, who are more concerned with blaring thier music and lookin cool than they are with the safe, responsible operation of thier vehicle. Many of todays truckers dont seem to care, or comprehend the importance of designated truck routes. This isnt a car, this no SUV its a 40 ton, nearly 70 ft vehicle with major destruction capability!! Im sure its not only the newer drivers who make these mistakes, but I truely believe that lack of education is a major factor here. So many companies are pushing as many students as possible through these simple 2 week schools. Student drivers are not really learning the importance, responsibility, and safety concerns that come with a job like this. I went to a 3 month school- I call it Trucker Bootcamp- where every aspect of truckin was drilled in my head. I was shown graphic pictures and videos of what could happen if I didnt pay attention or went off route. I wasnt taught to use a GPS, I was taught how to read a map. I believe all student drivers should attend a Trucker Bootcamp of no less than 3 months. To me its all a chain reaction, if students are pushed through stronger, more demanding educational classes, perhaps what they learn will be passed on somehow to other drivers. I went to a 2week school after Bootcamp, and I was amazed at what they didnt teach. And I was even more amazed when instructors said to buy a GPS. I heard more about GPS then I did about the atlas!
John Doe says
Well if he does this the wrecking yards will be full of trucks for them to figure out what to do with. I noticed how the ones who don’t drive for a living are the ones who purpose these regulations. I think a park your truck protest is in order. Problem is that drivers are hurtin so bad financially they don’t wanna do it. But unions do it and get results.
Stan says
I guess in my case the question is, what are the household movers or auto transport delivery services suppose to do? Or is there a provision for this?
I suppose we could all just park our loads at the nearest truck stop and then the customers could come out to the truck stop and pick up there items, yeah, that will work. LOL
Tell the Senator to set a week of his time aside and I will be glad to pick him up and see what we put up with. It would be nice to have a “higher authority” in the cab when the cop asked me what I am doing in a residential area.
The Senator can explain to the cop that there were no other roads to get to that house that were deemed commercial!
Dan Wood says
Designated truck routes are not always visable and mistakes can be made. In real life you sometimes have to make adjustments and take corrective measures when a mistake is made. It’s not always the truck drivers fault. What happens when you are forced to detour because of construction? Is the route your deverted on always obvious? I see this all the time and have had to work it out as best I could.
And it’s not like the states aren’t already getting enough revenue out of the tickets they write. Been there and done that too. Now they want to make this huge leap and take possession of and profit from that action of siezing a $50,000.00 truck? Somebody slap me.
James says
That’s a detached, devil-may-care armchair-quarterbacking member of our government for you. Sit up there on their Olympian thrones, not giving the slightest care about what it really is that makes their lives of luxury possible, and throwing draconian penalties like lightning bolts down at the people who are making it possible for them.
They want to solve the problem in New York. Then instead of making it harder and harder on trucks, why don’t the senators put legislation into the works for building logistic centers to which the bigger trucks can deliver, from which their freight can be sent out into these neighborhoods on smaller trucks?
New York City is a rat’s maze for big trucks. It is incredibly difficult to navigate through the city. Companies are already forced to pay drivers large sums of extra money just to get them to go into the city. And now…
Yeah, just make it worse and worse for the hardworking men and women who drive trucks. That’s the way, Senator. Maybe think on that the next time you go to your local grocery store. The products on its shelves weren’t teleported there. This convenience was afforded you by the hardworking men and women who you want to ruin with your Olympian attitudes.
mark says
As the article stated, let’s find out why trucks are using this route. if it’s because the other roads are so messed up I’d say let’s get them roads fixed. Or maybe it’s that they don’t want to spend the money to fix those roads…in which case I’d say sorry to the locals until they are.
Tim Kordula says
Tell the senator next time he wants to eat, fuel his limo, or sleep in a nice comfortable bed, he can come to the middle of the interstate and pick up his crap!! Just another harassing politician against drivers!!!
Ion says
I think we should unite and for 2 days not make any deliveries in NY and then maybe they will start fixing the problems and not thinking how to bury us in fines .
Don Dierdorff says
Just another example of how much hatred there is for big trucks, and how little understanding there is by the lunatics who run the asylum, in this case Senator Tony Avella. If this turd were to pull his head out of his butt, and stop listening to those schmucks who are too busy breaking thier noses when Tony goes to turn the corner, he would at least have a clue that parking for big rigs is a major problem in the United States. He obviously gets to go home every night, so he has no clue. I urge anyone who read these comments to call Tony Avella’s number and let him know how much of a disservice he is doing.
Don Dierdorff says
I know exactly what you’re talking about from experience. If I didn’t personally experience what it was like to driver over-the-road, I would not believe how drivers are treated, but having experienced having to put up with exactly what you’re talking about, it’s a sad fact that everything seems to be the driver’s fault. Shame on Tony Avella.
Manny says
Well, ill be damned…
First the Bronx(Go figure) with their “I dont want our community to turn into a truckstop” and now the entire state?
I am not in favor of a large scale shut down protest by both company drivers and O/O’s but the way things are going, it might be more beneficial. Park the truck at your home terminal or your rig
in your driveway and REFUSE to go to the Northeast/California in general. This should be the last straw in this business. The amount of disrespect is shocking. I am aware though that the new “super trucker” poop bags in rest areas, cutting off people like its no ones business, rude, foul smelling drivers are the ones to blame for so much detest of the industry in general, not the honest day mistake of getting lost in a residential area. It happens to everyone during their driving careers.
I would love to see the day the shutdown actually happens. Trucking Co.s threaten to fire company drivers? Okay, plenty of other companies out there that will welcome you with open arms. Brokers or shippers threaten to end your contract O/O’s? Okay, let them. Arent they the ones BEGGING for your services??? Just my 4 quarters of thought.
Like the crude saying goes: We need to grow a pair(get courage) and actually go “tough” with these type of folks. Really ruining the show for everyone California and New York/Northeast
Manny says
Replying to my previous post:
I forgot to mention: IT IS NOW ILLEGAL IN SOME AREAS TO PARK YOUR TRACTOR IN YOUR OWN PROPERTY!!! Seriously what the?!?!
Orly says
Makes me think of the time I was sent to make a dump truck delivery in a gated community. As soon as I’d made the delivery a rent-a-cop pulled me over, told me I had no authority to be there, and slapped me with a heavy fine, which my A$$&%$# company & of course the home owner customer refused to pay. Instead it came out of my paycheck. Obviously Senator Avella has never driven trucks, has no clue what drivers go through. Often we’re forced to bend rules to get the job done. Forced to drive on side streets to turn our trucks around, or position trailers at the dock. Other times we’re lied to by dispatch, shippers & receivers etc and tricked into it. Or just given the wrong routing info. Or god forbid get lost and make a wrong turn. Then come the parasites who use that knowledge to cash in. Well let’s sit back and wait to see if this becomes law, and how many small businesses close as a result. How many drivers and their families go hungry or become homeless. I hope the Senator is prepared to clean up that mess. Or maybe that’s not his concern. Thank god I no longer live or drive in NY. In fact I’m boycotting the entire state, due to their idiotic laws and excessive taxation.
wesinabox says
Two days??? I’m in my 5th year. They won’t pay me what I think its worth. $500.00 one way so they can come pick they’re freight up in Jersey
joe says
New York STATE sucks!!!!! i moved out of new york becuase i couldn’t make a living driving a truck there!!!
John Sokol says
People need to get over the idea that there is any place a truck shouldn’t be. Civilization is supplied by trucks, we don’t make any more noise, or weigh more per axle than a loaded garbage truck. If the cities would syncronize their traffic signals on the main roads, we could be more efficient and not need to take shortcuts.
Emery C. Mayoros IV says
Some drivers and/or companies must continue to do business in NY. I’m convinced the vast majority DO have a CHOICE. Of the 48, the only 2 I’ve not been to, are CA. & ND. There’s a reason for that. I COOSE NOT to. NY., I’ve passed through on various routes, 95, 84 & a couple others. Pass through. NO business there. I’m a native of CT. I left in ’92. TOO crowded, too expensive, too much tax & too damn cold. If you don’t like it – DON’T go! If the firm you work for, sends you there, get a different job. I don’t care for New Orleans or Pittsburgh, they’re both $hitholes. One has hills. If it bothered me THAT much, I wouldn’t go. I plan, so I roll in late @ night & out around 1000 when most are @ work & before lunch.
Choice is yours. I get it, NY. sucks, that’s nothing new.
-e
Nnip says
Senator Avella says this law is for repeat offenders. I’ll bet that after it passes they’ll tighten the screws down from 3 time to 2 time repeat offender and sometime later down to 1 time offender.
brian v. says
i like the idea of logistics centers near nyc….I had to quit my last job because they kept
sending me to the ny metro area with 52,000 lbs plus lumber loads….often i ended up
on 2 0r 3 ton residential streets as the ONLY way to reach these mom and pop lumber
yards….the companies usual story “well joe blow did it”…never could meet joe blow or
even get a phone number….sometimes another driver did say he delivered to the mom and
pops but played dumb about the weight limits or just gave a smirky smile….meaning he was
dumb enough to go on the low weight residential roads. In NY they will just hold you until all
fines are paid and the company will just blame the driver as usual.
EZX says
As many have said, truckers have to stand up. Maybe NYC could be the first place to begin. But complaining on the internet only goes so far. The “Arab Spring” started with one guy burning himself to death in Tunisia, and that sparked a change in all of those countries.
iz says
yeah right you ever saw any truckers getting together on anything
iz says
yeah well i posted on my facebook to first go to maty golden facebook page and senator avellas page and tell them how you feel nobody did it they care more about treatment of animals than human beings who have a job well they are running now and nows your chance
iz says
well post you comment on marty golen and avellas facebook page
iz says
anyone that cares should go to marty golden who was proud to add points to drivers license just for driving down a street and avalles facebook page and tell them what you think if you dont its your fault that they do anything they want with truck drivers who are only doing theyre jobs nyc truck routes are impossible let them know and they should repeal the points oh teamsters is supporting marty golden
iz says
teamster is supporting marty golden who put points on the rediculous truck route
K. Kaleas says
Thank you Michael. At least someone realizes that truck drivers keep this country moving. I guess Senator Tony Avella thinks his fancy house and car just appeared by magic. I have driven over the road for 15yrs+ and still find so many people don’t realize how important our job is. Thanks for the support.
Todd says
That’s exactly why I don’t go to NY.
Montway says
Trucks not entering in residential areas because residents complain! Right? And then those same residents demand that we deliver their cars straight to their door! Ok! How is that fair then?! We are a car shipping company and we tell customers that we will deliver to their door only if there is no restriction to enter the residential area and if it is possible for the truck to maneuver there. In many cases both things apply, but the customer (that same resident who now complains the trucks cause “vibrations that shake the foundation of homes”!) still demands that we deliver to their front door!
So, what is this idea / decision for this new enforcement actually based on?
Blue Diamond says
YOU HAVE F-16s Doing Mach 1 over your property???… Yeah, OK, I bet NOT!!! I live under 3 flight paths, one of which is the Air National Guard… Just LOVE it when they turn on their after-burners!!! But, NO Mach 1 flights, (740+MPH), NOT in America!!!
Trucks cause my walls to crack, because they bump down my bumpy street… They don’t care about the residents when they use their jake brakes in the city day or night, as they are just “passing” through…
BUT, NY can NOT take your truck & your livelyhood WITHOUT Due Process!!! Police agencies are just trying to SCARE you… Besides I CAN go off route IF I have a legitimate delivery to a business…
T Owens says
There once was a fellow named Cornelius Vanderbilt, a railroad tycoon. His actions with manhattan in 1867 resulted in his halting all rail use in and out of city which put extreme difficulty on the city. Ending in a success for Vanderbilt resulting from a business dispute. Learn more about him it’s very educational! If one man can do it to prove a point and to straighten out the political morons than I’m sure if the trucking association would have great results. Make it nation wide. At least a week to really put the point across. I know as a driver my main goal is to ramble aimlessly down residential streets, park next to high end homes and idle at all hrs and desicrate their precious land. I have even more fun in Colorado goin extremely slow up the mountain just to delay the ever so important skier. Gosh if you really think of it we must be such a Nusance and a hinderance to the egotistic society.
gene says
I can see why many residents are up in arms about trucks driving in residental areas. How many times have you heard drivers using their jake brakes in the city. It can be 3 am in the morning and you’ll hear some knuckle head using their jakes. A few drivers ruin it for all.
New york city rules state if you have a delivery on that sreet and have to go off route you are allowed to do so. Also NYC has decided that it is to expensive to place truck route sighns (or not a truck route) on designated routes. That if you do not know you should go on line or call truck enforcement to plan your route. I have drove local in NYC delivering fuel to FDNY and NYPD and never had a problem with routing. Also drove over the road truck delivering in the city and was not sure on routes and NYPD was very helpful. They even ran back two blocks to warn me about a low bridge. In other words if you don,t or are lost stop and ask it will save you money and damage to your vehicle.
Eric says
ReallySenator? Young people also crank car stereos and even your own gas guzzling lincolns and cadillacs and private jets that fly tree top levels do not do the same thing? If you want privacy move to the country!! Even then that farmers tractor that puts food on your expensive family table would be to big and loud!! Get real Senator and come to work in the real world be like Mike Rowe Dirty Jobs and then you can get our respect!!