GPS confusing, misleading truckers
, Staff Writer
11-25-2009
A Pulaski County supervisor says it is time the state legislature takes action to address problems with GPS equipment sending tractor-trailer trucks onto roads ill-equipped to handle them.
Ingles District Supervisor Ranny Akers says something has to be done before someone is killed or seriously injured – or at least before the state’s infrastructure is severely damaged.
Virginia Department of Transportation Resident Engineer David Clarke acknowledged global positioning satellite (GPS) equipment is causing trucks to end up on roads they’d be best to avoid. However, he said trucks have the same rights to use roads as other vehicles as long as trucks have not officially been restricted from the road.
A resident of Highland Road recently expressed concern about overweight trucks crossing a deteriorating bridge with a 10-ton weight limit. He said the trucks are directed to the road by GPS and then don’t have anywhere to turn around to avoid crossing the bridge.
Akers said he fears someone is going to get seriously injured or killed by the large truck crossing the one-lane bridge with limited visibility. At the very least, he noted, a truck could collapse the bridge and then force traffic to have to be re-routed for an extended period of time while it is fixed.
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