Two years after the South Dakota Legislature raised overweight truck fines by as much as 50 percent, officials reports the number of tickets for grossly overweight loads has dropped.

According to the Associated Press, the number of tickets written for loads over the limit by 5,000 pounds or more has dropped nearly 30 percent from last year - from 93 in the first six months of 2000 to 68 in the first six months of this year.
Capt. James Carpenter, head of truck enforcement for the Highway Patrol, told reporters he'd "like to think it's due to increased awareness."
A load that is overweight by 5,001 pounds or more will garner a fine of 37.5 cents per pound, or at least $1,875. If the load exceeds the limit by 10,000 pounds or more, a judge can double the per-pound penalty, for a fine of at least $7,500.
Some farmers are unhappy about the provisions, saying there is no way to weigh trucks in the field.