Trucker fines to increase in Connecticut

The bill would increase penalties for drivers of commercial vehicles caught on state boulevards.

The new State Parkways Commercial Vehicle Penalty Act passed February 14 and applies to Merritt Parkway, Wilbur Cross Parkway and Milford Parkway.

The purpose of the bill is “to promote public safety and enforcement of the ban on certain vehicles on boulevards in this state.”

The bill would increase the fines for commercial vehicles using Connecticut boulevards to park and drive without a permit. Violators face a fine up to $500.

Connecticut bans the following types of vehicles from boulevards:

• Commercial vehicles

• Trailers

• Buses (except school buses)

• Hearses in procession or cortege

• Vehicles with registrations other than passenger, campers, taxis, and vehicles with combined registrations exceeding 7,500 pounds gross vehicle weight

• Vehicles that (fully loaded) exceed 24 feet in length; 70 feet 6 inches wide; and 8 feet tall.

Legislators hope the higher fine will deter drivers of the listed vehicles from driving on the boulevards.