Prohibiting the Passing of Motor Vehicles by Trucks and Trailers on Public Streets

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CiITY OF .SOUTH BEND The Common Council of South Bend Mr. Walter Erler, President City Hall South Bend, Indiana Gentlemen: January 15, 1953 On January 12 the Common Council passed Ordinance 3903 prohibiting the passing of motor vehicles by trucks and trailers on public streets in the City of South Bend. On this date I have vetoed this ordinance and returned it to the City Clerk. Although the purpose and spirit of this law represents a conscientious and commendable effort on the part of the Council to alleviate a traffic problem, it is my opinion that the ordinance will fail to achieve What the Council intended it to achieve. For example the ordinance is limited to trucks orbiailers of a manufacturer's rated capacity of five tons or more. This would still permit very heavy trucks and trailers to pass on our streets since a great many of the heavy trucks and trailers are under the manufacturer's rate of five tons. Moreover, the ordinance presents problems of enforcement that I think might merit more study by the Council. It might be well for instance if the ordinance provided passing on certain streets, and also, there may be exceptions to the ordinance which should be provided for. I am completely in accord with the Council's determination to reduce hazards and traffic bottlenecks caused by trucks passing on our city streets, and you may be sure of my cooperation in the adoption and the enforcement of a revised ordinance which would accomplish the objectives you seek. Very truly yours, i ^ " 7 (Il --- DOH' N A. SCOTT Mayor JAS:esj