Deputies ticketing truckers for bypassing Oregon weigh station

Several truckers who bypassed an Oregon weigh station were ticketed and educated during an enforcement detail in Union County this week.

According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office (UCSO), deputies partnered with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon State Patrol this week to ticket truckers for bypassing Perry’s weigh station near La Grande.

Because “bypassing the weigh station is a constant problem,” the agencies worked together to “educate the drivers of these trailers.”

In total, UCSO ticketed 15 commercial vehicle drivers for bypassing the weigh station.

According to ODOT, all commercial vehicles and vehicle combinations exceeding 20,000 pounds must stop and weigh at an open scale when a sign posted before the scale reads “All Trucks Over 20,000# GVWR Next Right.” All commercial vehicles and vehicles combinations with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or greater must stop and weigh at an open scale without this posted sign.

The following are exempt from the requirements of reporting to an open scale when directed to do so by an open sign:

• An empty log truck and bunked pole trailer.
• A vehicle or combination of vehicles that is enroute to a terminal or other legitimate business that requires turning off the highway after passing the open sign but before reaching the scale. Turning off one highway onto another highway is not exempt. A highway is defined as every public way, road, street, thoroughfare, and place intended for use by the general public.
• A vehicle or combination of vehicles directed to bypass by a weigh-in-motion system. 
  Exception: Vehicles transporting an oversize and/or heavy haul load must stop at open scales even if they receive a green light on their transponder.
• Fire equipment with red warning lights and/or siren operating.
• Recreational Vehicles operated solely for personal use.
• A bus, unless required by signage to enter scale.
• Military vehicles in convoy.