A bill recently introduced in the Connecticut General Assembly would dramatically increase the penalty for commercial vehicle drivers caught on state parkways.
“An Act Concerning The Penalty For Commercial Vehicles On State Parkways” (HB 6676) was introduced on February 14, 2023. The new legislation would apply to Merritt Parkway, Wilbur Cross Parkway, and Milford Parkway.
Legislators say that the purpose of the bill is to “promote public safety and compliance with the ban of certain motor vehicles on parkways in this state.”
The bill would increase the fine for commercial vehicles using Connecticut parkways without a permit from approximately $100 to $500. Lawmakers hope that the higher fine would be a stronger deterrent to keep banned vehicles off of parkways.
Commercial vehicles have long been banned on Connecticut parkways due to low overpasses that won’t accommodate trucks.
Connecticut bans the following vehicle types from traveling on parkways:
- Commercial motor vehicles
- Trailers
- All towed vehicles (except as provided in Section 14-298-240)
- Buses (however, school vans are permitted)
- Hearses when part of a procession or cortege
- Vehicles bearing other than passenger, camper, taxicab, vanpool or hearse registrations and those vehicles bearing combination registrations which have a gross weight in excess of 7,500 pounds
- Vehicles whose dimensions (fully loaded) exceed 24 feet in length; 70 feet, 6 inches in width; and 8 feet in height