Connecticut Overweight Truck Defense Lawyer
By now, you probably already know that there are weight limitations for trucks driving on Connecticut roads. However, you might wonder how these weights get checked. Will a police officer pull you over to check the weight of your vehicle? Will you be asked to fill out forms about the weight of the cargo that you carry? You must have your truck’s weight checked at a weigh station located on a Connecticut highway. There are six official weigh stations throughout the state of Connecticut that you can stop at to have a truck’s weight checked.
Weigh Station Locations
They include:
- The Greenwich Weigh Station. The Greenwich Weigh Station is in Greenwich, Connecticut. It is located at the northbound side of highway I-95 near Exit 3.
- The Danbury Weigh Station. The Danbury Weigh Station has its location in the town of Danbury, on the eastbound side of highway I-84. This weigh station is located near Exit 2B.
- The Westbrook Weigh Station. The Westbrook Weigh Station is in Westbrook, Connecticut, on the southbound side of I-95 near Exit 67.
- The New London Weigh Station. The New London Weigh Station has a location in New London, Connecticut. This weigh station exists on the northbound side of I-95 at Exit 81.
- The Meriden Weigh Station. The Meriden Weigh Station is located in Meriden, Connecticut, on the northbound side of highway I-95. This weigh station exists at Exit 19.
- The Union Weigh Station. The Union Weigh Station is located in Union, Connecticut, on the westbound side of highway I-84. The weigh station exists at Exit 73.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regulates all Connecticut weigh stations. All commercial motor vehicles, including trucks, must stop at a Connecticut weigh station for inspection. If you do not stop at a Connecticut weigh station when you have to, you commit a motor vehicle violation. The penalties for this violation include fines and additional penalties. If charged for ignoring a Connecticut weigh station, please contact our office for more information and assistance. We can sit down during a free consultation to determine the best way to help you through this process.
Length Limit
Although the law refers to overweight trucks, weight is only one of the factors that goes into the measurement of trucks for Connecticut roads. There are other factors that affect a truck’s weight, such as length. The length limits for a Connecticut truck are:
- 48 feet in length for a semitrailer.
- 45 feet long for a single unit vehicle.
- No limit for a semitrailer tractor combination.
- 28 feet for a regular trailer.
- No limit for system trucks such as multi-trailer trucks.
- 53 feet for semitrailers.
- No limit for tractor semitrailer combinations.
Width and Height
Other factors in overweight trucks are the truck’s height and width. These limits try to ensure the safety of other drivers on the road. The height limit for all trucks is 13 feet and six inches, while the width limit for all trucks is 102.37 inches. There is also a requirement for the distance between the kingpin and the rear axle, which is 43 feet.
In addition, certain vehicles are restricted in where they can and cannot go. Some trucks are not allowed on certain highways or in certain lanes on the highway.
Weight
The proper weight of a truck is determined based on the number of axles it has. The axles are what support the weight of the truck as it moves, so it is important the a truck has the correct number of axles to carry the weight of the truck and its cargo. The spacing of the axles can also affect the weight limit for a certain truck. Weight limits based on axles are as follows:
- When axles are less than six feet apart on a truck, the weight limit is 18,000 pounds per axle.
- When axles are spaced over six feet apart, the weight limit of 22,400 pounds per axle.
- A two axle single unit vehicle has a weight limit of 32,000 pounds.
- A four axle single unit vehicle has a weight limit of 67,400 pounds (or up to 73,000 if the distance between the first and last axle is 28 or more feet).
- A five axle single unit vehicle has a weight limit of 73,000.
- A three axle combo on a tractor semitrailer has a weight limit of 58,400.
- A four axle combo has a weight limit of 67,400 (73,000 when the wheelbase is 28 or more feet).
- A five axle combo has a weight limit of 73,000.
- Gross vehicles with weights of 73,000 have a weight limit of 80,000 pounds, but only if they meet the Federal Bridge Formulas requirements.
- When axle weight is less than 18,000 pounds, the weight limit for the truck is 32,000.
- If a wheelbase on a truck is ten feet or more, the weight limit is 40,000 pounds.
Another factor in determining the appropriate weight for a certain type of truck is the truck’s tires. There is a 600 pound maximum for the load per inch width of each tire.
Penalties
Overweight trucks are subject to penalties under Connecticut law. The most common penalty for an overweight truck is a fine. Fines are based on the weight of the truck and vary from as little as $5 to as much as $1,000. If the weight of the truck is directly related to an accident, the truck driver might face additional charges. This is especially the case if another person is seriously injured or killed in an accident. To fight these penalties, contact a motor vehicle violation attorney as soon as possible.