Five-Axle Car Carrier that Caught Fire Was Driving Illegally on PCH—Local Input Sought on Whether More Big Rigs Are Flouting the Law

By Anne Soble

A five-axle car carrier that was headed west (north) on Pacific Coast Highway last Friday with a full load of vehicles was forced to pull over west of Trancas Canyon Road when smoke began pouring out from under the trailer.

The cab and trailer rig was traveling on PCH in violation of the clearly-signaged ban on vehicles with more than three axles unless they are making local deliveries.

The Lost Hills Sheriff's Station did not indicate at press time whether the driver was formally cited after utilizing the services of local fire stations 72 and 99 to put out the blaze being attributed to unknown origins.

Reports that a discarded cigarette may have been responsible for the mishap could not be confirmed.

Following the incident, Lost Hills spokespersons issued a statement that the large truck laws on PCH and local canyons are being vigorously enforced, and the station will keep the City of Malibu apprised of the number of illegal big-rig citations that are issued.

Malibu residents have been complaining that there has been an uptick in four-and-more axle traffic on PCH. The Malibu Surfside News is conducting an informal survey of alleged violations and is asking anyone who observes big rigs flouting the local regulations to relay date, time, size of vehicle and any visible identification indicators on the vehicle to alert the newspaper at editor@malibusurfsidenews.com