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Fleetowner 37161 Ga State Highway 0
Fleetowner 37161 Ga State Highway 0
Fleetowner 37161 Ga State Highway 0
Fleetowner 37161 Ga State Highway 0
Fleetowner 37161 Ga State Highway 0

Georgia lawmakers make fast U-turn after trying to restrict truck routes

Jan. 21, 2019
State senators in Georgia withdrew legislation that would ban trucks from state highways when not making a delivery just hours after introducing the bill.

State senators in Georgia withdrew legislation that would have banned trucks from state highways when not making a delivery just hours after introducing the bill.

The bill from Democratic state senators Donzella James, Harold Jones, and Michael Rhett stated, “No person shall drive or move on any highway any trailer or semi-trailer unless such trailer or semi-trailer is engaging in the pickup or delivery of persons or property or traveling to or from such pickup or delivery.”

Violators could have faced up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

However, there was almost instantaneous pushback on the proposal via social media.

There were also questions whether the proposal could hold up to a constitutional challenge, since law enforcement is supposed to have a reason to pull over a vehicle or driver.

Within hours, James posted on Facebook the bill was being withdrawn “because we have another way to address the problem which will not require any legislation.”

She did not provide any further details.
 
 
 

About the Author

Neil Abt

Neil Abt, editorial director at Fleet Owner, is a veteran journalist with over 20 years of reporting experience, including 15 years spent covering the trucking industry. A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., he began his career covering sports for The Washington Post newspaper, followed by a position in the newsroom of America Online (AOL) and then both reporting and leadership roles at Transport Topics. Abt is based out of Portland, Oregon.

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