Pickup driver hauling trailer snagged by Smugglers Notch, smacked with $1197 fine
Vermont transportation officials say that a pickup driver towing a trailer got stuck on a winding stretch of road notorious for snagging commercial vehicles.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on August 11 on Route 108 (known as Smugglers Notch) between Cambridge and Stowe, Vermont.
When Vermont State Police arrived on scene, a pickup towing a trailer was “pinned between the rocks of the roadway.”
South Carolina-based driver Mykola V. Onukevych, 30, told troopers that “he did not see any flashing bill boards indicating to avoid the area and to not follow his GPS, but he did notice signs that said ‘No TT Units.'”
Troopers noted that the total length of the vehicle and trailer was approximately 64.9 feet.
Onukevych was cited for Commercial Vehicle Operation Prohibited with a fine of $1,197.
Additionally, a Level I inspection was conducted with “several violations observed” by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit.
The roadway was closed for about an hour before a tow truck removed the stuck vehicle.
Tractor trailers are never allowed on Smugglers Notch, but many still find themselves stuck on the notorious stretch of road each year in spite of several signs warning that trucks aren’t allowed.
It’s only April 13th, but #VT Route 108 through Smugglers Notch is OPEN for the season — weather-permitting, of course. Drive safely, and remember: Tractor-trailers are not allowed and will not fit through the Notch! #btv @AOTVermont pic.twitter.com/TAfAscQGEU
— Vermont State Police (@VTStatePolice) April 13, 2021
Not only will getting stuck on Smugglers Notch cost you some time, it will also hit you in the wallet — the citation for a first offense is $1,197. The fine for truckers who are caught on Smugglers Notch more than once is $2,347.
Smuggler’s NO-TT-ch…
It is impossible to drive a tractor trailer through Vt. 108 Smuggler’s Notch. Despite MANY signs advising TT drivers to not attempt, today here we are again for the 3rd time in 12 days.
1st offense = $1,197
2nd+ = $2,347
Any offense = Completely avoidable pic.twitter.com/ernvqnxVc5— VT State Police Traffic Safety (@VSP_Traffic) October 15, 2020