HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 74
(By Delegates Warner and Kelley)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make an
interim study to review, examine, and study the issue of
highway safety in this State as it relates to use of the
highways by tractor trailers.
whereas, A substantial number of our citizens and other persons
use the public highways of this state daily; and
whereas, The operation of tractor trailers are of grave concern
to the good people of this state and other persons using the public
highways and roadways of this state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee of Government and Finance is hereby
requested to review, examine and study the effectiveness of: issue
of highway safety in this State as it relates to the efficient use
of the highways by tractor trailers; improper use of the highways
by tractor trailers; the threat to safety posed by excessive speed
of these vehicles; traffic congestion created by improper lane
usage by tractor trailers; the enhancement of safety, prevention of
personal injury and death and prevention of property damage by
restricting lane usage and speed of tractor trailers; exploring solutions to the hazardous and generally improper operation of
tractor trailers; ensuring that any person who operates a tractor
trailer on the roads and highways of this state is properly trained
and licensed; examining and restricting or prohibiting the unsafe
practice of large vehicles and tractor trailers being operated on
streets, roads or highways which are too small to safely handle
such traffic, including focusing on all situations where such
vehicles are physically unable to make a turn without remaining
within the lawful confines of their lane; proposing a solution to
the dangerous practice of tractor trailer trucks tying up all
available lanes on hills where the tractor trailers are unable to
maintain the speed limit; courteous operation of common carriers
upon the highways of this state; exploring the effects of the North
America Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA") as it applies to designating
certain highways and roadways of this state for use by tractor
trailers towing three trailers at one time; use of drugs by
operators of tractor trailers; ensuring professionalism of those
persons driving tractor trailers; and proper measures to ascertain
that all loads are properly secured on trailers towed by tractor
trailers; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1999, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.