Police are writing tickets to truckers in Putnam County, Indiana, for following GPS devices onto a restricted roadway.
Twice this month, the Putnam County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) has taken to social media with a message for the trucking community about steering clear of Cement Plant Road located in Greencastle Township, Indiana.
PCSO says that there are two signs warning drivers about the road’s six ton weight limit and truck restrictions, but commercial vehicle drivers keep winding up on Cement Plant road because they’re following directions from their GPS devices.
On April 11, PCSO wrote:
“Sgt. Rob Soilleux was busy earlier today on Cement Plant Road. Cement Plant Road is one of our problem areas. For years we have tried to stop, educate and warn truckers to stay off that road. Semis are not allowed on that road as it has numerous bridges, one with a 6 ton weight limit. Sgt. Soilleux was on his way home when he observed two semis going north on Cement Plant Road. Sgt. Soilleux turned around and stopped them both. As he was writing citations for the two drivers, a third truck showed up, southbound. And then ANOTHER one showed up!!!
That road is off limits to heavy vehicles for obvious reasons. This includes dump trucks.
Pass the word around please. Truckers, STAY OFF THIS ROAD!! If you blindly follow your GPS, IT WILL BETRAY YOU!!! And it may cost you a lot, if you get caught. We are writing tickets!“
On April 22, PCSO used a GPS-following trucker as another example for the trucking community about avoiding Cement Plant Road.
From PCSO:
“Sgt. Todd Hopkins nabbed another truck driver on Cement Plant Road. The driver apparently did not see the two signs saying 6 ton weight limit and no semis. The driver told Sgt. Hopkins that he was following his gps. Sorry but we can’t issue a traffic citation to your gps.
The trucker was ordered to back his semi ALL THE WAY back to Buzzi and turn around. At least he got some good practice there.
Once again truckers, YOU CAN NOT USE CEMENT PLANT ROAD AS A SHORT CUT (aka CR 150 west on the north end, aka CR 75 West on the south end.) This applies to dump trucks and any vehicle over 6 tons. It’s marked on both ends with signs. Use US 231 or Manhattan road instead.“
