Hundreds of truck drivers were cited over the weekend for violating commercial motor vehicle (CMV) travel bans implemented due to a massive snow storm.
Hundreds of Truck Drivers Ticketed for Violating CMV Ban
On Thursday, November 17, officials in New York banned commercial vehicle travel on multiple roadways including the NYS Thruway in the western part of the state ahead of a storm that dropped as much as six feet of snow in some areas. The ban remained in place for days as the area was battered by winter weather.
Shortly after the truck travel ban was put in place, New York State Police (NYSP) began enforcing the travel restrictions.
Troopers said that while the travel restrictions were in place, a total of 414 citations were issued to commercial drivers in violation of the ban.
Travel Bans Cause Traffic Trouble, Strand Drivers at Truck Stops for Days
According to one report, on Friday, November 18, 70 tractor trailers became stranded at Route 20 and Eden Evans Center Road in Angola as drivers attempted to navigate on routes that were not included in the ban.
The commercial vehicle travel ban resulted in traffic trouble in other parts of the state as well as trucks that would normally use the Thruway were forced onto other roads.
Another mess with tractor trailers approaching the 7 corners on Southwestern in Hamburg. #LakeEffectSnow #Buffalo pic.twitter.com/uxEUlQ7cNs
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@WBEN) November 19, 2022
Tractor trailers are everywhere as they seek somewhere to go with the closure of the @NYSThruway. This is Chestnut Ridge Road in Orchard Park. @WBEN pic.twitter.com/HRHYToXyii
— Tim Wenger (@TimWBEN) November 19, 2022
Tractor trailers are becoming an issue on highways as they seek routes to avoid the closed @NYSThruway. This is the scene along Mile Strip near South Park. #LakeEffect #Buffalo pic.twitter.com/aNMuLVmeSZ
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@WBEN) November 19, 2022
On the other hand, many truckers were forced to remain parked at truck stops for days waiting for the CMV travel ban to be lifted.
Many truckers are entering their third day now stuck at truck stops off I-90 while a commercial travel ban remains in effect throughout Western New York. We spoke to some between Batavia & Pembroke about the impact this puts on their livelihood & danger. https://t.co/87wYQ6jmhw
— Alex Love (@AlexWROCLove) November 19, 2022