Apr 15, 2015 2 min read

In response to Tuesday’s article, “Florida trucker jailed for violating weight limit,” it seems this is about nothing more than the money, a huge payday for Canonsburg.

As a truck owner and operator myself, I have total respect for the police and motor carrier enforcement officers and the job they do. But this man made an honest mistake, a wrong turn in a town more than 1,000 miles from his home, and he is locked in jail and he or his company is responsible for $17,000 in fines?

According to the article, he hit nothing and did no damage to anything.

It states that “he almost hit a car at the light,” which happens at every intersection a truck turns at, due to the wide swings trucks need to make, and the fact that cars never leave trucks enough room. It also states the driver’s truck was “59,346 pounds overweight,” which is misleading. I assume he was overweight for the 10-ton road, but in actuality he was at 79,346 pounds gross, which is 650 pounds below the 80,000 pounds he is allowed on interstate highways.

With increased truck traffic in and around this area, this is becoming common, and I do agree the driver should have used common sense and not relied on GPS. But his punishment and fines seem excessive to me.

I’m certain that all of us have made a wrong turn at some point, and I’m sure this man meant no harm. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like a criminal and slandered in the news.

Robbie Haught

Washington