Complementing Governor Whitman's recent ban on some large trucks, four New Jersey legislators have introduced legislation during the last two weeks that would add teeth to the state's truck enforcement efforts. The lawmakers come from the 14^th and 23^rd legislative districts, where towns have lived with big growth in through trucking on highways like Routes 31 and 130.

The Governor's ban affects 102-inch wide trucks that have neither origin nor destination in New Jersey from some state highways. The Governor's order came this July, after years of complaint about 18-wheelers on local roads.

On September 30, Senator Bill Schluter and Assemblyman Leonard Lance (23^th Dist.) introduced a bill (S2179) that would slap stiff fines on large through trucks found trespassing on roads now off-limits after the Governor's ban. Truckers would be charged $400 after their first violation, a hefty penalty to truckers who police presently show to the nearest interstate. In addition, the bill establishes a study commission to look into enforcement prerogatives for local police.

The same legislators also introduced a bill (S2178) that cautiously urges DOT to extend its ban to trucks 96 inches wide and less. After many charges and denials, it appears that DOT is now considering 96 inch trucks, which are smaller than those affected by the ban. But DOT warns, "Action to regulate 96-inch wide trucks would have to be proposed as a wholly new rule proposal, if it is determined the Department has the authority to restrict such vehicles under both Federal and State law, and pursuant to the Constitution." The American Trucking Association is already grumbling about interstate commerce restraints in the wake of the ban, a constitutional infringement.

Two Assembly members from the 14^th District, Paul Kramer and Barbara Wright, proposed kinder, gentler truck legislation this week that has the support of the NJ Motor Truck Association. The first would beef up the State Police's truck inspection capabilities by creating a special Truck Safety Bureau funded by a commercial driver's license fee that would treble to $75. It would also double the points assessed to commercial drivers for moving violations.

Kramer and Wright's second bill would establish a Truck Safety Advisory Council to develop informational materials for truckers and drivers, teaching them to share the road.