"More than 20 years ago, in 1983, Alabama Supreme Court Justice "Red" Jones wrote, 'The most feared of all vehicles on the highways of this state, and for good reason, is not the truck hauling explosives, or toxic chemicals, or even atomic waste, but the old, overloaded, no-brakes, slick-tired, one-headlight, no tail lights, uninsured log truck.' And here we are 20 years later and not much has changed. We'll, we're going to do something about that."—Senator Larry Mean (D) 10th District, Cherokee, Etowah counties, Alabama, in announcing two bills he is sponsoring to legislation to improve 18 wheeler and large truck safety.

Bill 1: As many people know, logs and other wood in the rough accounts for more shipping tonnage in Alabama than any other commodity. Much of that tonnage is shipped on rural roads and highways by independent contractors. What many of you may not realize, unless you've been in a wreck with a logging truck, is that IF they only carry loads within the state of Alabama, they are NOT required to carry the minimum commercial liability insurance required of trucks that travel out of the state of Alabama. Bill 1 seeks to remedy this situation.

Bill 2: Expands the powers of law enforcement officers to allow them to issue a citation in a motor vehicle offense even if the offense was not committed in their presence. For example, if a state trooper saw a large truck with a load that was too long, too heavy, or not flagged properly sitting at the side of the road or at a truck stop, he wouldn't have to wait around until the driver got into the truck and started down the highway to pull him over and issue a ticket. He could ticket the driver right then based on the totality of the circumstances surrounding the offense.