Authorities try to steer long-haul trucks off KY 286 and other rural roads

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky State Police are reminding long-haul truck drivers to stay on official truck routes designed for the weight and size of their vehicles.

Efforts are being ramped up to deter semi-tractor trailers from attempting shortcuts on rural secondary roads that were not designed for large cross-country trucks. It's a common problem across the Commonwealth and neighboring states.  

KYTC chief engineer Kyle Poat says that secondary roads were not built for regular through-travel by vehicles of such size and weight. 

A prime example is KY 286 in Ballard County, which is used by truckers as a cut-through between Wickliffe and Paducah. Over the last three years, there have been 119 crashes, 40 injury crashes and 5 fatalites along just over 16 miles of that road. About 30 of the crashes involved a semi. Of the 24 most recent crashes on KY 286, about half involved commercial trucks.   

"NO TRUCK" signs have been installed at each end of KY 286 and at state highway intersections. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers have also stepped up patrols and written numerous citations.   

The "NO TRUCK" signs and restrictions do not apply to local farmers or trucks making local deliveries along KY 286.   

The widespread use of cell phone GPS mapping apps created for passenger vehicles also contributes to trucks ending up on inappropriate routes. The apps lack features that mark low overpasses, denote narrow roadways and other obstacles trucks should avoid.   

For example, Poat said long-haul truck drivers following passenger vehicle phone apps are sometimes routed onto the US 45 Brookport Bridge, which has weight, height and vehicle width restrictions that prohibit commercial trucks. Truckers also often hit a low railroad overpass in Hickman County along KY 307 north of KY 94, despite numerous warning signs. 

Poat said truckers could prevent trouble by using a GPS unit or app specifically programmed to direct over-the-road trucks to the National Truck Network, defined by federal law in 1982. 




PHOTO - KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET