United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Castle v. Hayes Freight Lines, Inc., 348 U.S. 61 (1954)

Castle v. Hayes Freight Lines, Inc.

No. 44

Argued November 17, 1954

Decided December 6, 1954

348 U.S. 61

Syllabus

When an interstate motor carrier holds a certificate of convenience and necessity issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission under the Federal Motor Carrier Act, a state may not suspend the carrier's right to use the State's highways in its interstate operations as punishment for repeated violations of a state law regulating the weight of loads of freight that may be carried on the State's highways. Pp. 348 U. S. 62-25.

(a) Punishment of the carrier for violations of the State's road regulations does not justify disruption of a federally authorized activity. P. 348 U. S. 64.

(b) The provision of the Federal Act which leaves states free to regulate the sizes and weights of motor vehicles does not authorize the states to revoke or suspend the operating rights of interstate motor carriers for violations of such regulations. P. 348 U. S. 64.

(c) The State's lack of power to suspend a motor carrier's interstate operations does not leave the State without appropriate remedies for the carrier's violations of state laws. Pp. 348 U. S. 64-65.

2 Ill.2d 58,117 N.E.2d 106, affirmed.

Page 348 U. S. 62