On May 19, the Michigan Senate on Thursday unanimously approved Sen. Dale Zorn’s legislation to exempt tow trucks and wreckers from seasonal road weight restrictions while servicing a disabled vehicle.
“Michigan is one of many states that have spring weight restrictions to help protect roadways during the annual thaw, but these restrictions should not come at the expense of driver safety,” said Zorn, R-Onsted. “Disabled vehicles on the side of the highway present a danger to passing traffic and to the people in the vehicle. This bill will allow Michigan tow trucks and wreckers to safely and efficiently service disabled vehicles and help their passengers at all times.”
The Michigan Vehicle Code currently has seasonal road weight restrictions during the months of March, April and May. The restrictions include reduced maximum axle load, reduced wheel load and reduced speed limits.
There are several vehicles exempt from the seasonal weight restrictions, including vehicles transporting agricultural goods, public utility vehicles, school buses, residential propane delivery vehicles, and milk trucks.
Senate Bill 640 would add tow trucks and wreckers to the existing list of vehicles exempted from the seasonal road weight restrictions. The exemption would only apply when the truck or wrecker is towing a disabled vehicle or traveling to or from servicing a disabled vehicle.
The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Source: senatordalezorn.com