Legislation results from collaboration between senator, state trucking association
Democratic Sen. Dave Marsden, the main architect of the bill, introduced it in late January, and it passed in the state Senate less than a month later by a vote of 26-13. It could become law as early as July 1 if it passes in the House of Delegates and the governor signs it.
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/keep-right-virginia-bill-outlines-winter-storm-lane-restriction-for-truckers
Marsden proposed the bill in response to crashes and jackknifed 18-wheelers during a snowstorm in early January. Hundreds of drivers were stranded for 24 hours on a 40-mile stretch of Interstate 95 in Virginia.
“We’re still doing the autopsy on what happened that day and how the response could have been better,” Marsden told FreightWaves in mid-February. “But this was the only thing I could think of to do as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee of getting a message out to truckers that, when these conditions start to arise, you need to take better care.”
The bill would restrict commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to the right-hand lane of any Virginia highway during active snow, sleet or freezing rain, as long as the highway has two or more lanes in each direction.
Finding common ground
Initially, there was some pushback from the Virginia Trucking Association (VTA), which thought some of the language was too restrictive. Originally, the rule required all truckers to use the right-hand lane. After discussions among Marsden, his committee and Dale Bennett, president and CEO of the VTA, the wording was revised to add “if reasonably possible and conditions safely permit.”
“That’s where that language came from. It was me being better educated by the people who do this for a living,” Marsden added.
Bennett told FreightWaves that he understood and appreciated what Marsden was trying to do but had issues with forcing all trucks into the far right lane.
“As with most right-lane restrictions, you create a wall of trucks that will make it extremely difficult and increase the safety risks of other people in vehicles trying to get off the interstate or enter the interstate,” Bennett said.
He added that the original language also created a potential conflict with Virginia’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers of CMVs and non-CMVs to, when possible, change lanes when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights. Bennett said he didn’t want truckers to get stuck “having to choose which law to violate.”
