Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

040804_Sign_6K1.jpgTwo years ago, Slate had a piece noting that California weight restrictions against vehicles over 6,000 lbs prohibited SUVs from many streets, but nobody realized it because people thought the signs were for delivery trucks. (A Hummer H2 weighs 8,600 lbs.) It seems most of the ordinances were written with trucks in mind, not SUV's, and so the secret SUV-ban went unenforced.

From the article:

This isn't an arbitrary weight limit. 6,000 pounds has long been a recognized dividing line between light and heavy trucks. (For example, the Clean Air Act defines "heavy duty vehicle" as a truck with a gross vehicle weight "in excess of six thousand pounds.") But local officials either don't realize they've banned big SUVs, or they're hoping no one will make a stink. ...

[T]hese weight limits generally predate the 1990s SUV craze that lured suburbanites out of their lighter sedans and minivans. It's the vehicles that have changed, not the law. These ordinances remain on the books and they're not obscure. They're clearly marked on signs in many California cities.

Since this piece is a bit dated, it is unclear whether authorities actually started banning SUV's, started rewriting laws, or continued to ignore the problem. Does anybody know if there are any New York-area equivalents?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

On Christmas, Let’s Consider the Successes of the Livable Streets Movement

Here's a short, heartwarming film about the successes experienced this year by the livable streets movement.

December 25, 2024

And the Winners Are…: It’s Time for the 2024 Streetsie Awards!

Let's start our annual year in review series with a broad roundup of the heroes, scoundrels and debacles of 2024.

December 24, 2024

Tuesday’s Headlines: Green Christmas Edition

We got our Christmas presents early yesterday. Plus other news.

December 24, 2024

Congestion Pricing Dream Lives On After Two Judges Rule in MTA’s Favor

New York won two major victories in court on Monday after federal judges declined to put the skids on congestion pricing's Jan. 5 launch — and hinted that they don't think the lawsuits to stop the program will succeed.

December 23, 2024

Streetsblog Year in Review: The Biggest Sustainable Transport News of 2024

It was a busy year in the movement to end car dependency — and there's a lot more to come.

December 23, 2024
See all posts