Trucks Are Ignoring the Speed Limits and Lane Rules on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge

Given all the speed limit signs and changes on the Atchafalaya Bridge, you would think that it would be safer. However, there seem to be problems with enforcement of the limits and regulations for truckers. The Advocate published a letter to the editor a few months back about the need for better enforcement to keep people safe.

Some local people use the long bridge for part of their commute to work and get to see the consequences of speeding every day. Commercial trucks are the major concern. According to current law, truckers are supposed to limit their speed to 55 MPH and stay in the right lane while on the bridge.

The letter states that when the speed limits were reduced the last time, there must have been enforcement actions because the rules were followed. However, it now seems that truckers are flouting the rules. The author states they’ve seen 18-wheelers speeding the entire time in the left lane.

What prompted the letter was an incident when the author was going 65 in the left lane and was trapped between two trucks and passed on the right by a third truck. Later that afternoon, a fatal accident happened.

She urges law enforcement to pay better attention to the speed limit law rather than forcing further reductions through legislation. The current speeds are safe enough.