Trucks play a vital role in the transportation industry, but their weight can pose significant risks to infrastructure and public safety. Because of the risk overweight trucks pose, weight restrictions are in place to help road users and truckers be safe. If you have been charged with a traffic offense or trucking violation, contact a lawyer to ensure you can adequately fight the charges against you. 

Understanding the Weight Restriction Issue

The federal Department of Transportation has weight restriction regulations. Regulations also exist within the Connecticut Department of Transportation. These essential guidelines are in place to:

1. Protect infrastructure – Truck weight restrictions aim to protect the integrity of roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure. Excessive weight can cause structural damage, leading to costly repairs and potential hazards for other vehicles on the road. By enforcing weight limits, authorities seek to ensure the longevity and safety of the transportation network.
2. Uphold road safety – Overloaded trucks are more prone to accidents due to reduced maneuverability, longer stopping distances, and compromised braking systems. Weight restrictions help maintain road safety by preventing excessive strain on tires, suspensions, and other vital truck components. This, in turn, reduces the risk of accidents and promotes safer driving conditions for all road users.
3. Protect public safety – Weight restrictions also reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by falling or shifting cargo. Overloaded trucks are more susceptible to cargo spills or load instability, presenting hazards to nearby vehicles or pedestrians. By adhering to weight limits, truck operators can help prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of those sharing the road.

How An Attorney Can Help in Weight Violation Cases

If you are accused of a truck weight violation, seeking the guidance of an attorney is important. They can help navigate the legality of trucking violations and provide the following services:

Originally published: July 28, 2021 -- Updated: January 12, 2023

Update: It is almost inevitable that a driver will be stopped by a police officer at some point in their driving lifetime for some type of traffic infraction. Unfortunately, if a driver has a history of receiving traffic violations, they may begin to accumulate points on their driving record and these points can eventually lead to the suspension of driving privileges, as explained below.

There have been changes to two of the items listed below – failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians and seat belt use – that recently went into effect in Connecticut that every driver should be aware of.

While most people associate a suspended or revoked driver’s license with a drunk driving conviction, there are many reasons why the state of Connecticut could take away your driving privileges. While a DUI is the most common reason for loss of license, you can also have your license suspended or revoked for not paying court fines or not paying child support. You can also lose your license if you accumulate too many points on your driving record. Any moving violation that you are convicted of will add points to your driving record. This is why you should always contact a Stamford traffic attorney when you receive a traffic citation.

Connecticut Points System

Connecticut has put in place a points system that applies to all drivers. There are a certain number of points assigned to different driving violations. Typically, the more serious the violation, the higher the number of points the violation carries. 

The violations that will result in one point added to your driving record include: 

Connecticut State Troopers were busy over the Thanksgiving weekend. According to a statement the agency recently issued, troopers made 50 driving under the influence arrests from Wednesday at midnight until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. State troopers stepped up their enforcement of Connecticut roads during the long weekend, also reporting 501 violations issued for speeding, 118 violations issued for seat belt violations, and another 559 violations issued for other hazardous driving behaviors. Hazardous violations include following too closely and using a cell phone while driving.  

With the holiday season in full swing, drivers should be aware that law enforcement will continue to be out in full force between now and the New Year holiday, continuing to arrest drivers they suspect of DUI and issuing violations for traffic infractions.

DUI Arrests

In Connecticut, a driver will be arrested and charged with driving under the influence if they have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher. Penalties for drunk driving convictions in Connecticut are harsh. A first offense conviction will result in a license suspension and could also lead to either jail time or community service. There are also fines that will be ordered.

Truck drivers are required to follow strict regulations related to the operation of commercial vehicles. Some of the most important of these regulations address the amount of cargo a commercial truck is allowed to carry. Weight limits are based on the number of axles on a truck and trailer, and truck drivers are required to have their trucks weighed regularly to ensure that they are in compliance with these limits. Drivers who are charged with overweight truck violations will need to understand the specific penalties they may face and how these penalties may affect their ability to continue driving a commercial vehicle.

Fines and Other Penalties for Overweight Violations

Most of the time, the amount that a driver will be fined will be based on how far their truck is over the weight limit. The fines are charged as follows:

• Less than 5 percent overweight - $3 per 100 pounds over the weight limit, with no minimum fine

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