Proposed NY Legislation Could Mean Required GPS Systems in Trucks

October 27, 2009

By: Sara Sultanik / NCC News

Last year, a pedestrian bridge over route 690 in Syracuse had to be taken down because a truck that was too large to fit, drove underneath anyway. 

On October 14, 2009, Governor Patterson of New York proposed legislation to make sure incidents like this do not happen again in New York State.

The Proposed Legislation will:

-Increase penalties for truck drivers who illegally use parkways.

-Allow for the confiscation of trucks stopped and ticketed at the discretion of officers at the scene.

-Require all commercial trucks to use enhanced GPS systems.

-Allow the state and affected individuals to get back many of the costs associated with a bridge strike from the trucking company or their insurance carrier.

There were 1400 truck/bridge collisions in New York State over the past fifteen years.  And most truck drivers agreed that the mandated GPS systems would make the roads a little bit safer.

Trucking Their Way to Safety

The soft hum of engines sing through the many truck stops in the Syracuse area. 

Truckers come through Central New York from all over the country but many do not use a navigation systems. 

“I don’t need it, that’s what maps are for,” said Ivey Williams, a truck driver who travels across the country from California to the New York and New Jersey region. 

But Gene Cilento, Syracuse Public Information Officer of the New York Department of Transportation said he thinks it’s reasonable to request the usage of the navigation systems.

“…Whether or not the trucking industry as a whole will go along with it is another question, it’s another added expense,” claimed Cilento.

But many truckers stated the new GPS units will help you to better know where you are going so truckers do not end up going under low bridges.