Recently another log truck rolled at the corner of Berryhill Road and Dogwood Drive. According to city officials, this is another incident adding to a list of long log truck accidents within Santa Rosa County, most within city limits. Milton City Manager Brian Watkins said a letter was sent to then Chairman Bob Cole, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners by Mayor Guy Thompson, asking for the county to work with the city regarding the matter. According to the letter, dated August 13, 2013, Thompson asked for safer routes for log truck drivers to take to protect the industry and protect public health and safety. Thompson also writes the city and county have authority to regulate and restrict commercial traffic through various methods. He listed no through trucks, weight limits and speed limits. Watkins said the city hasn’t received any response as yet. Watkins said the city has done some investigation as to why the numbers of log truck accidents along city roads seem to be growing. He said he believes it is obvious some drivers are driving too fast but some may be overloaded, specifically in the Berryhill Road and Dogwood Drive intersection. Santa Rosa County Commissioner Bob Cole verified he received the letter and has forwarded the request through proper channels of Public Works Department.
“In my opinion,” said Cole, “something needs to be done before someone gets seriously hurt again.”
Florida Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Jeff Frost said any public road is open to traffic unless the entity maintaining the road posts weight limits. He said both the county and city can post requirements and as long as justifications are met, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) can enforce the limitations. Frost also said FHP will patrol areas drivers use for bypass routes.
Cole said he intends to add FHP verbiage to the next commissioner meeting agenda.
“I realize weight restraints on county roads may be inconvenient to log truck drivers, but I want to keep proactive for public safety,” he said.
Mayor Guy Thompson said weight limitations on city and county roads are something that’s needed.
“Over the past year and a half there’ve been 5 log truck accidents,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Weight limitation discussions on city and county roads