Bloomfield Hills adopts motor carrier ordinance

Bloomfield Hills police officers trained to enforce state and federal motor carrier laws will be able to do so under an ordinance adopted on Tuesday, June 11, by the city commission.

"The worst accidents I've seen in the city during my time here have involved commercial vehicles and usually relate to an equipment violation or driver fatigue," Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Chief Noel Clason told city commissioners in discussing the ordinance.

The local ordinance, which essentially mimic's the state's law that is based on federal commercial motor vehicle law, allows the city to collect fines and costs from violations written by city officers. Clason said two public safety officers have been through the motor carrier school and are able to address issues with all commercial vehicles, which range from small landscaping vehicles to large haulers that have the potential to damage roads.

Clason said enforcement will help protect roads in the city, particularly those that have recently been resurfaced. The ordinance follows a recent parking ordinance that restricts trucks and trailers from parking along unpaved shoulders, thus preventing early wear on road edges.

The ordinance was unanimously passed by city commissioners.