A Massachusetts trucker was hit with a heavy fine after he became stuck for over an hour on the section of Route 108 known as Smuggler’s Notch in Cambridge, Vermont, yesterday.
Stuck Trucker Blocks Traffic For Over An Hour While Backing Truck Out Of Tight Curve
Vermont State Police say that the road was blocked in both directions starting around 3:30 p.m. as 33 year old J.B. Hunt driver Alexander Gendreau stopped his truck and was forced to back his truck out of the tight S-curve at the top of Smuggler’s Notch. He was finally able to reach a spot where he could turn his truck around.
Police Say Driver Had Fair Warning
Police say that Gendreau ignored several warning signs before entering Route 108: “The investigation revealed Gendreau passed three signs advising tractor trailers were prohibited from using Route 108 and an electronic message sign positioned at the gate near where Gendreau eventually turned around that also stated ‘No Tractor Trailers’.”
Gendreau was issued a $2000 fine and has 20 days to respond to the citation.
The law upping the fine for truckers who get stuck in Smuggler’s Notch went into effect on July 1. Before the law was implemented, police were only able to issue fines of $162 to stuck truckers on the road.
Another truck got stuck in Smuggler’s Notch yesterday. $2000 fine. Video. @VTStatePolice @511VT #vermont pic.twitter.com/vUiR7cEnB7
— Mike Curkov (@MikeCurkov) August 16, 2016
Sources:
The Washington Times
MassLive
The Burlington Free Press
My Champlain Valley