The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced Tuesday that there will be no overweight and oversize loads permitted on all state and federal highways during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The ban begins Wednesday, November 22 at noon and lasts until the end of the day on Thursday, November 23, according to the Clarion-Ledger.
“We want to provide maximum safety for all motorists traveling Mississippi highways during the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT executive director. “Prohibiting oversize loads is just one more way MDOT is working to increase safety for the traveling public.”
Whether you’re traveling by air, rail or car this #Thanksgiving2017, check out these great #safetravel tips from @USDOT. #holidaytravel #transportation https://t.co/mUIvniBgYF
— MDOT (@MississippiDOT) November 22, 2017
The press release stated, all permits issued for daylight movement only are prohibited on Sundays with the exception of sealed containers. Movement after Noon the day before and the entire day of a legal holiday is prohibited.
MDOT’s oversize and overweight commercial vehicle permitting service – ExpressPass – would allow trucks instant access to operating commercial vehicles on Mississippi highways regardless of the oversize or overweight ban. The permit is available to drivers within a certain size and weight. To apply, click here.
With such an exception to a “safety precaution”, it seems like McGrath is willing to trade public safety for monetary compensation.
The press release also states that the MDOT Office of Enforcement’s primary responsibility is the regulation and safe operation of commercial motor vehicles on state and federal highways. Along with preserving Mississippi’s transportation infrastructure, these laws and regulations help further MDOT’s efforts to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
THANKSGIVING TRAVEL: Oversize, overweight loads prohibited on state highways during #Thanksgiving holidays. More: https://t.co/UxdPAaRMd3 #MShwys
— MDOT (@MississippiDOT) November 21, 2017
MDOT also reminds drivers to safely share the road with log trucks. MDOT advises that motorists allow enough space between their vehicle and a log truck. MDOT included this video as an example:
There will be increased traffic everywhere in anticipation of the upcoming holidays; please, stay safe out there drivers.