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California Gears Up for Truck Route Overhaul: Inland Empire Drivers Face Designated Paths
SACRAMENTO, CA – A new law is set to reshape how commercial trucks navigate California’s Inland Empire, aiming to streamline traffic, enhance safety, and alleviate concerns from local residents. Assembly Bill 98 (AB98), slated for implementation on January 1, 2026, will mandate truck drivers to utilize specific, designated routes within the region.
The legislation primarily targets major highways, with the precise pathways to be determined by individual municipalities. Proponents of AB98 suggest that by keeping heavy commercial vehicles off smaller, residential streets, the bill could offer truckers more direct and efficient routes, while simultaneously mitigating traffic congestion and wear-and-tear on local infrastructure.
The Inland Empire, a sprawling metropolitan area encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, has long been a critical logistical hub. However, the constant flow of heavy vehicles has led to frustration among some residents. “The streets are damaged, and the potholes get bigger,” Angelique Rageasingh, a local resident, told KNBC, highlighting the impact of commercial trucks on residential roadways.
While some truck drivers are open to the changes, others express exasperation over a perceived lack of respect for their profession. Michael Hales, a seasoned trucker with nearly five decades of experience, remarked, “It’s the turns.
The roads are narrow, and the people are disrespectful. No courtesy for the trucks.
It’s like we’re an inconvenience for them.”
Concerns have also been raised regarding the practical enforcement of these new regulations. “You can make all the routes you want, but who’s going to enforce them?” questioned Rageasingh.
Despite these reservations, some truckers remain optimistic, hoping the designated routes will be strategically planned to include convenient access to rest areas, food services, and adequate parking, thereby minimizing disruptions to their schedules and delivery timelines.
A Million-Dollar Farewell: Massachusetts Trucker Hits Lottery Jackpot Before Retirement
In other trucking news, a Massachusetts truck driver recently experienced an extraordinary stroke of luck, claiming a $1 million prize from a lottery scratch-off ticket. Paul Bashaw, just two weeks shy of his retirement, can now embark on his golden years with significantly less financial worry.
Bashaw, 65, purchased the winning $20 scratch-off ticket in July, only three days after submitting his retirement paperwork. He made the fortuitous stop at JandJ Variety convenience store in West Boylston, Massachusetts, and chose a lump-sum cash payout of $650,000 before taxes. The fortunate former trucker intends to use a portion of his substantial winnings to fund exciting vacation adventures during his retirement.