Trucker: GPS Get Me a $7,000 Fine

On his way to pick up frozen food at a Pepperidge Farm facility, trucker Roy Griffin followed his GPS’s directions straight into trouble.

Heading north on U.S. Highway 202, Griffin’s GPS instructed him to take the exit and go left.  Griffin responded obediently.  About a mile and a half down the road, Griffin says he noticed the road’s 5 ton limit sign. Griffin didn’t have time to turn around before he saw the East Whiteland, Pennsylvania police officer’s squad car’s lights.

The officer led Griffin to a local scale which was, ironically, across the street from the Pepperidge Farm facility.  Griffin’s rig weighed in at 35,000 pounds, 25,000 pounds over the road’s 5 ton weight limit.

Along with the scale’s weight ticket, Griffin was given a $7,100 citation.

The OOIDA member fought the ticket and ultimately got it lowered to $1, 050.  Although he’s unhappy with the final outcome, Griffin says, “This allows me to keep going. I don’t have any choice in the matter, financially.

Griffin says he’s never gotten an a ticket for being over the weight limit.  On the bright side, Griffin’s trailer had not yet been loaded when the officer stopped him.  If it had, his fine would have been double.

Drivers, how do you avoid ending up on a road with a weight limit?