Legislation expected to be signed by Alabama's governor will stiffen fines for truckers found hauling improperly secured steel coils in the state.


The legislation has been in the works for three years. Since 1987, about 30 coils have been dislodged from flatbed trailers on Birmingham-area interstates, with repairs estimated at $7.5 million. According to the bill's sponsor in the state House of Representatives, two inspection blitzes over the past four months found numerous violations of federal regulations by steel haulers on Birmingham-area interstates.

The legislation, according to published reports, stiffens fines against truck drivers and companies that fail to secure their coils. It requires motor carriers involved in delivering metal coils in Alabama to use truck drivers trained and certified in properly securing the coils. The Department of Public Safety would set training standards.

A company employing an uncertified driver would risk a fine of $5,000 to $10,000. The uncertified driver would face a fine of $250 to $1,000 and as long as a year in jail. The legislation also calls for a fine of $5,000 to $10,000 against a person or company if a metal coil falls from a truck they own or leas if the coil was loaded in a way that violated federal safety regulations.

The bill had the support of the Alabama Trucking Association.