Drivers opposed to new weigh stations

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

Truck drivers said they're not pleased with the state's plan to spend $61 million to build state of the art truck scales across the Oklahoma.

State officials announced earlier this month they will build nine new weigh stations.

"We really believe that it's going to save many, many times the cost of building these facilities and less damage on highways and bridges," said Gary Ridley, director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Truck drivers, who spend most of their days on the road, said more scales will only create more problems.

"If people don't want to weigh or are overweight, they'll just go on the back roads," Driver Clarence Reeves said.

Others, like Brian Blair, aren't buying it either. He got a ticket for not having a proper medical ID. 

"All it is is a revenue stream," he said. "It has nothing to do with safety. I'd much rather see them put money into the pavement than weigh stations."

Jim Roth, corporation commissioner, supports the new weigh stations.

"The point I want to share with you is that an overweight truck is dangerous to citizen's life and their wallet," Roth said.

Experts said they expect the truck traffic to increase by 70 percent in about 20 years.