Hazard, Ky. - Speaking to a group of coal operators and coal haulers in Hazard today about the problem of overweight coal trucks, Governor Paul Patton said "I've been there, done that."

As a former coal operator, the governor said he had caused his share of overweight coal hauling and that it has become a "way of life" in the coal fields of Eastern Kentucky.

Governor Patton asked the coal companies to form a representative group to meet with Secretary of Transportation Jim Codell and Commissioner of Motor Vehicle Regulation Ed Logsdon to draft a law to ensure that trucks are safe and within the weight limits.

"The basic problem is that we have no effective way to enforce the law," the governor said. "Hauling larger loads is cheaper, making a particular coal operation more competitive but it's irresponsible to do so at the expense of safety."

Governor Patton cited one intersection in Floyd County where half of the eight fatal accidents there have involved coal trucks. But the governor said the truckers aren't all to blame, that it's the coal operators who should take responsibility for encouraging the problem of overweight coal trucks. "Our solution is not to put more police officers up here to haul more of you into court. The responsibility to ensure that trucks are loaded correctly must be placed directly on the companies that are benefiting financially from the increased efficiency of hauling overweight, the coal company contracting to have the coal hauled."

"Today, I'm here asking you to do what is fair, to do what's right. If you instruct your trucking contractors to obey the law and if you refuse to pay them when they haul coal above the legal limit, we can solve this problem." The governor said that will ensure a level playing field for the competing coal operators and the coal truckers. "We'll all win," the governor said, "and this victory will not be at the expense of the driver trying to support his family or be tainted by the tragic loss of our friends and family members in needless, preventable accidents."

Governor Patton said he would like to propose some kind of legislation no later than the 1998 session of the General Assembly but because of the urgency of the situation believes that a more appropriate time would be the special session that he expects to call this spring to consider higher education.

"I solicit your support," the governor said, "and I can assure you that my reason for doing this is to protect the people of Eastern Kentucky and the coal companies they depend on. I'm asking the responsible segment of the industry, which is today the large majority, to join with me in this effort because it's the right thing to do."