Rules of Road Wide-Ranging, Essential

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Staff Writer

HARRISON – Attendance at what was the Clare County Road Commission’s second offering of a truckdriver’s informational meeting turned into a full-house, standing-room-only event attended by nearly 100 people.

Brian Coon, CCRC north road maintenance foreman, served as lead host for the event which was held at Robbin Harsh Excavating north of Clare. Presenters included Delores Thomas, retired State Police Motor Carrier Officer (Isabella post) and currently of the Michigan Center for Truck Safety, who gave a Power Point loaded with information on load securement.

The informational specifics she and Coon shared included load weight per axle and appropriate vehicle lights. Coon noted that, although they can be purchased over the counter, contractors doing snowplowing should be aware that it is illegal to use green lights on vehicles other than those of government road commissions and OSHA.

“She went from enforcing the law to teaching the law,” Coon said in describing Thomas. “And that’s pretty much what I do now. I enforce the law, but I try to do more teaching than enforcing. It’s a whole lot better to help people out that are there to learn than to have to write the ticket and teach them in court.”

He added that every education comes with a price, but that the road commission is trying to serve the public.

Lt. Steven Sentz, Clare County Sheriff Department, provided information about penalties for various infractions. One example cited was drinking and driving. The rules change for drivers with a CDL, who are held to a higher standard, even when they’re on their personal time.

Thomas’ daughter, Officer Jessica Penn of the State Police Motor Carrier Division (Lakeview post), was onsite for what effectively served as a meet-and-greet for her. It also was an opportunity for her to field questions from the audience regarding how she would handle various situations, and respond with what she, as an officer, would prefer/expect from drivers.

Coon expanded on that by noting people in commercial business aren’t out to shut down commerce or generate money for the library.

“That’s not what it’s about,” he said. “We’re there for public safety and to protect the infrastructure. And the more people we can educate on how to stay safe – and protect the infrastructure – that’s the goal we have achieved.”

The audience receiving this information included a variety of contractors: concrete construction workers; logging companies; landscaping companies; farmers; a wood-chipper manufacturer; heavy dirt haulers; electric companies; and companies that use special mobile equipment, i.e. a crane, oil derrick hauler, wastewater hauler, rubbish hauler – representatives of nearly every business that uses the roadway infrastructure.

Coon said local government officials also attended who were there to learn the rules, enabling them to stay as close to those rules as possible.

Also onsite was a permit agent who spoke on how the Oxcart permit system works; who needs a special permit to move special equipment; speed limits involved and specified truck routes – serving from the state highway system down to local county roads. This awareness matters, because rules are different on each class of road.

“We’re in this to serve the public,” Coon said.

He noted the larger turnout this year as compared to last year’s 60-plus attendance and assured that the road commission hopes to continue this informational session as an annual event. He further stressed the road commission’s sincere gratitude to Robbin Harsh and crew for allowing use of the facility.

Coon also said he encourages anyone who wants more information to call him at 989-429-4527. His CCRC email is northforeman@clarecrc.com