Buzz
For many drivers, large cargo trucks spark curiosity, leading to questions about everything from the spikes on their wheels to the additional tires they carry.
Another question worth considering: What is the reason behind trucks being weighed?
As explained by HowStuffWorks, the requirement for trucks to stop at roadside scales is driven by two key factors: taxes and safety regulations.
States impose taxes on goods and products based on their volume, meaning the weight of a truck’s load directly affects the tax owed by the carrier, or the truck's owner and operator. This tax helps fund the upkeep of roads that endure the wear and tear from transportation.
While taxation is one factor, the main concern regarding weight is safety. Scales ensure that trucks are fit to travel on roads and do not exceed weight limits, which could increase risks of damage and accidents. Some highways may not support excessive loads, which could harm the road infrastructure or raise accident potential.
In most regions, the weight limit is 34,000 pounds, although scales can usually accommodate much heavier loads. Some scales are designed to handle up to 80,000 pounds, functioning up to 200 times per day for 25 years.
Weight is measured in these systems using either an electric current that changes with weight, known as a load-cell system, or a bending-plate system, which assesses strain from the vehicle’s weight on a strain gauge. Piezoelectric systems gauge weight by measuring voltage.
Truck drivers often stop at weigh stations (commonly called “chicken coops” in trucker slang), run by the state’s department of motor vehicles, to have their vehicle weighed and sometimes visually inspected. Certain scales can measure weight even as trucks drive by, streamlining the process. These stations are staffed to aid drivers and gather data, though they may be unattended during weekends, nights, or holidays.
What happens if a driver exceeds the maximum weight limit during a weigh station check? The penalties can differ depending on the state, but an overweight truck can result in citations or fines. Some regions charge based on weight overage, with fines ranging from small amounts to over $1 per pound. In severe cases, exceeding the limit by a significant amount could lead to fines in the tens of thousands of dollars.
If the weight is so excessive that it raises safety concerns, the truck may be detained at the weigh station. For issues beyond the expertise of the weigh station staff, state troopers may be called for assistance.
