Truckers should pay fines

Some truckers are protesting a recent increase in fines for overloaded trucks by organizing a campaign to post hundreds of thousands of acres in Maine, particularly targeting properties that allow access for the Inter-connecting Trail System for snowmobiles. Certainly posting land in protest may bring attention to their perceived plight, however, this story is quite complicated, and is likely to become more complicated for the protesters as other groups become involved or threatened.

Overloaded trucks surely cost state and local taxpayers millions of dollars in damage to our roads and highways. Citizens have supported highway investments through highway bonds and even general fund bonds such as those approved last November by referendum. Should taxpayers continue to subsidize those who violate load limits at the expense to those who abide by the law?

It is true that truckers don’t have scales in the woods to weigh their loads. They do, however, have their loads weighed on a regular basis at the mills that receive their product. What is more, they often seem to know when to leave their rigs parked when the state police are inspecting trucks for weight and safety compliance. I am not the enemy of truckers. I know that they work long hours in all weather, and that they have significant investments in their equipment.

I support the higher fines as a deterrent to damaging our roads and to keep the playing field level for the truckers who do abide by the law. Previous fines obviously did not take the profit out of hauling an overweight load.

What unforeseen results might come from the protest? The animal rights people should be happy; think of all the land that is suddenly part of a privately funded game preserve. On the other hand, hunters will be disappointed to be shunned from their favorite hunting grounds. Snowmobilers may go somewhere else to enjoy their sport or abandon the sport altogether at a cost to Maine businesses that sell the machines and parts and also to those in the tourism industry who are able to scrape out a living during the winter months. And what about the tax benefits of having land in tree growth? Tree Growth was at least partially implemented to protect and to encourage open space. If it ceases to do that, its

continuation may be in question.

Property rights have been an ongoing discussion forever, I suppose. The desires of snowmobilers, ATV owners, hunters, hikers, neighbors and the public generally for access to privately owned land have always been in a delicate balance with the rights of the landowners. It would be unfortunate if this protest had a lasting effect on access for so many outdoor enthusiasts. The current generosity of landowners that allow access is truly appreciated by so many.

Mainers should not be bullied. The issue for the truckers is the fines levied for violations of law. The fines were adopted after public hearings, public input and a great deal of consideration and were found to be in the best interest of the majority of Mainers. If the protesters are offering an alternative solution to safeguard the state’s and municipalities’ highway

in-vestments, we should hear them. Encouraging the posting of

private land, however, in no way addresses the central issue, and

I hope the truckers involved will reconsider this course of action.

Lewis Berry, my grandfather, served in the Legislature in 1945. The Legislative Record shows that he worked to improve the “mud road” through Livermore, presently known as Route 4, “so our cars and trucks can get out over and haul our farm products to market in any time of the year.” Maine’s truckers, businesses and citizens all expect and rely on good roads.

My father had a saying that he used when he thought someone he was riding with was going too fast: “The driver pays the fine.”

Randall L. Berry, D-Livermore,

represents District 93 in the Maine House of Representatives.