Local enforcement of regulations under review while towns await state action
By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
While Princeton awaits a decision from the state Department of Transportation on its request to exclude a number of local roadways from the New Jersey Access Network, those concerned about the presence of large trucks are seeking a more immediate measure — local police enforcement.
The exclusion request from township and borough officials came in February after a federal court ruled that regulations restricting 102-inch-wide and double-trailer trucks with no New Jersey destination or origin from entering the network unconstitutionally violated interstate commerce.
The ruling was followed by new state rules for the truck network, which is composed of state and county roadways that can be legally used by large trucks.
Since then, local officials have cited concerns about safety and the potential degradation of the environment and sensitive historical properties along the routes.
Those worries were highlighted in August when a tractor-trailer hauling shredded trash overturned and spilled its contents on Route 206, causing the closure of the roadway for a number of hours.
At the time, Township Committeeman Chad Goerner said the incident reflected the dangers of increasing the truck traffic on local roadways.
He said Tuesday that regardless of the outcome of the request, the municipalities need to more aggressively enforce violations by trucks on local roads.
”I definitely would like to see more local enforcement. There are some issues, however, that we do need to work out,” he said. “It’s important that we remain cognizant of what the capabilities of our local police are and remain cognizant of their safety. But I definitely think the question is one to be explored.”
Although Mr. Goerner noted that local authorities can only stop trucks if there is a violation — State Police are in charge of random inspections — state Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton) wants to change that.
Recently, he has made strides to return control of truck inspections to local police because he said State Police officers have their hands full with homeland security activities and can’t adequately enforce laws regarding the trucks coming through municipalities.
”We need to encourage the trucks to stay on the major arteries,” he said. “The reason why truckers have returned to local roads is that they’re not bothered by local police.”
Still, Mr. Goerner said simply enforcing violations could have a similar result.
Sandy Solomon agreed.
As the chairwoman of the borough’s Traffic and Transportation Committee and a member of the advocate group Citizens for a Safer Route 206, Ms. Solomon plans to further advocate dedicating police to be on the lookout for infractions.
”That would be a pretty strong disincentive to come this way,” she said.
Lawrence Township Councilwoman Pam Mount, who has dealt with traffic and transportation issues in the township for a number of years, said additional enforcement is a definite deterrent for trucks that are in violation.
”Truckers realize they can’t bring their dangerous trucks to our town,” she said, noting that other trucks always “miraculously” find another route after one is stopped. “We think that if they can find another way when we’re stopping trucks, they can find another way to go permanently.”
Ms. Mount said Lawrence would definitely be willing to partner with Princeton Borough and Princeton Township in their enforcement efforts.
Lawrence Township Police Chief Daniel Posluszny said that cooperation could come in the form of sharing information or even possibly assigning different days of the week each department would be on patrol.
He said it has been done previously with Princeton Township police, and he’d look forward to doing again “if they want to approach us about it.”
With four Lawrence officers trained to enforce such violations, and one officer dedicated to the task nearly full-time, Chief Posluszny said the aggressive enforcement definitely works.
”It has had its desired effect,” he said, noting that the truckers are well aware of when the officer is on patrol.
Borough Police Chief Anthony Federico said his department has taken advantage of Lawrence’s focus on truck enforcement by sending officers for training.
While he said the borough department hasn’t “been very active” in that area recently, he said the newly renewed Safe Neighborhoods Unit will allow an officer to focus on enforcing traffic issues.
Although Township Police Chief Mark Emann was out of the office and could not be reached for comment, Mr. Goerner said he would definitely like to see the township partner with Lawrence and the borough.
He also announced that the three municipalities have recently worked together in another way.
A letter from the mayors of all three towns was completed this week and will be sent shortly to DOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri to express concerns about the methodology used in a Large Truck Origin and Destination Survey conducted by the DOT on Route 206 on Oct. 23.
The results of the study have not yet been released.
Meanwhile, Mr. Goerner said a meeting about the exemption request to be attended by the municipalities and Mr. Kolluri is tentatively scheduled for some time this month.