A slowing economy is translating into fewer trucks taking the Ohio Turnpike.

The Toledo Blade reports that, after increasing during most of last year, December truck traffic on the turnpike fell 8.9 percent, while overall traffic volume dropped 5 percent.
An Ohio Turnpike Commission spokesman blames the lower numbers on harsh December weather. But officials with the Ohio Trucking Association told the paper that winter weather isn’t the only reason there are fewer trucks using the route. With fuel prices running so high, truckers are finding other ways to save money and taking freeways, as opposed to tollways, is one solution. Another reason for the decline in truck use along the route is the region's softening economy.