21K fine for overweight truck on the bridge in Naperville, IL

Truck route is whatever the city says a truck is. Sure there is the STAA "standard" truck, but that does not mean the city says it is. Basically what a 15 ton limit on a truck route means no semi combo. Of course just about any class B truck can do it, as well as any wrecker, bobtail, roll-off, and several other type of trucks and maybe even most buses.

An 80,000+ lb class A is not the only type of truck out there.

 

"An 80,000+ lb class A is not the only type of truck out there."

Agreed, 100%... But all those other vehicles really don't need a "Truck route" they can roll in most neighborhoods if needed where a semi usually can't without considerable difficulty.

One would "Think" that "Truck route" means "Hey all you people driving big trucks not familiar with this area, go this way and you'll be OK." Otherwise what's really the point that in labeling it "Truck route" when ALL trucks can't use it?

 

Ive always thought it was wrong when jurisdictions put up weight limit signs, or no trucks allowed signs, that can only be read after you are committed to bring on that road. I know od several places where the old hwy through town no longer allows truck traffic but the signage is a couple hundred yards from where you just turned into that road, and the signs are tiny.

 

That won't fly. Ignorance of the law is no excuse even though it should be taken into account in my opinion. You are expected to know local rules and regulations which sounds good until you consider you go through forty or fifty cities a day. And while ignorance of the law is no excuse, if there are improperly placed speednlimot signs, in many states, you are still required to abide by them and can be ticketed if you don't, so knowing the law is no excuse either. The $21,000 fine is justbtheir way of collecting a large amount even in a plea deal. There are similar laws here in Texas where you can get huge fines for being a couple tons overweight, but get an overweight permit for a couple hundred bucks and you are fine. You are in danger of distorting the road or bridge, but if you pay 1% of what the fine would be you can drive that way all day and all night, and they don't worry about you breaking stuff. In other words the state wants a few hundred more from u and that a weight is no problem. Its revenue.

 

Ahh, I was joking. Forgot to put the smiley face at the end. Here goes!

 

Get a lawyer OP. Pay him or her that 30% because as soon as you drove over that 15k bridge you assumed the responsibility of paying the fine. In lieu of beating the dead horse that's already getting the #### best out of it here, might I suggest, that in the future as you travel- remember, you are the traffic. Hit the four ways and call johnny law. Sure you would've inconvenienced some people, and sure you would've looked like a horses ### to everyone that's annoyed with you as you make them late in their race to see who's day is gonna be ####tier...but it would've been a hell of a lot better than this.

 

In the town I live in, about a year ago, they started changing route numbers, added truck routes, weight limits on certain roads. The problem is, if you try to follow the signs, the signs make no sense at all. One will direct you one way, then right down the road another will direct you another. I really feel for non-locals. If you ever come through Dickson,TN, you better follow your GPS or map, do not even attempt to follow the road signs.

There is another thing going on in the state of TN. Municipalities are trying to restrict some roads to truck traffic. The problem is, the state says they can't do it to roads that have been built or improved with state money. Most county and municipal roads have at least some state money spent on them. You may still get a ticket but I've known several people that have fought it and in every instance they have won.

 

It's IL. I got a big ticket for a 5 ton road (I was 78k), but the 5 ton limit sign was not at the end where you turn, it was several utility poles after the corner. My customer was 1.5 miles down that same road. Before I could find a place to turn around, I was stopped by the local weight enforcement (in front of a vacant parking lot). While he was setting up his portables, a double length bendy bus drove by. (Who's gross weight was well over 5 tons). Before I scaled out, I asked about the bus...he said "that's a city vehicle, they're exempt". Weight is weight, it doesn't matter who owns it, I thought weight restrictions were there to reduce damage. After weighing, my fine (which he had to look up in his book) was going to be 17k...when I asked if he gives shuttle service to the bus station because the city just became owners of a truck and trailer because they won't pay that much, you'll have to tow it. He then began to bargain with me...he got it down to $3000, (which was the fine for a truck 10k lighter than I was empty). After I cut him the check, I asked what the proper route I should have used to my delivery...he started 3 or 4 routes but stopped because there was either a low bridge, or another restricted road...finally he said, "honestly, you can't get there with this truck legally".

But to answer, you may be able to bargain it down in court, but that is a crap shoot at best. I would get a lawyer. Even as much as they are asking to represent you, it is still cheaper than $21k...if you don't pay, then they come after your CDL.

 

The woman was Amish, she may have only gone to school till she was in the 8th grade so perhaps she was never taught this. But this goes along with all the CDL's being granted to all cultures who do not even speak English.

 

You're lucky this didn't happen.....