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Georgia highway

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Within hours, James posted on Facebook the bill was being withdrawn “because we have another way to address the problem which will not require any legislation.”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 is a former FleetOwner editor who wrote for the publication from 2017 to 2020. He was editorial director from 2018 to 2020.

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