Commercial Overweight Violations
Hire a Chicago Traffic Ticket Lawyer - Save Your CDL!
Have you been ticked for a commercial overweight violation? Your CDL may be in danger of revocation! Act now by consulting a Chicago traffic ticket attorney from the Law Offices of Mitch Furman. My criminal defense firm provides each client with a high level of representation, guidance and service. Let us fight your ticket and protect your livelihood.
Illinois Statutory Weight Restrictions for Commercial Vehicles
See page 68 of this Report to Congress as reference:
- Single Axle - 20,000 lbs.
- Tandem Axle - 34,000 lbs.*
- Tridem Axle - 42,500 lbs.**
- Gross Weight - 80,000 lbs.
- Other - 800 lbs. per inch of non-pneumatic tire when any axle exceeds 16,000 pounds.
* If the distance between two axles is 96 inches or less, the two axles are tandem axles (Ill Rev Stat. Ch. 15 § 15-111).
** Tridem is not defined in the statute. This number, with spacing of between nine and 10 feet came from the State weight table in a chart in Ill Rev Stat. Ch. 15 § 15-111(a).
Damages Caused by Overweight Vehicles
Illinois has strict traffic laws regarding overweight vehicles. In an effort to protect the roadways from severe wear and tear, vehicles that weigh over a certain amount are restricted from driving on certain roads that are not equipped to handle the load.
Overweight commercial vehicles can cause significant damage on roads that are not designed to handle the weight of the truck or other vehicle. On hot days, the asphalt can become soft enough that it displaces under the weight of a commercial truck, causing grooves and bumps in the road. Heavy commercial vehicles can also cause cracks in the pavement that quickly escalate to potholes when combined with additional traffic and inclement weather.
The damage caused by commercial overweight violations requires expensive repairs and—in extreme cases—can cause damage to other vehicles or persons on the road. As a result, there are heavy fines in place for drivers ticketed for commercial overweight violations.
Fines for Commercial Overweight Violations in Chicago
Truck drivers can also be fined for putting too much weight on one or more axles, or on the truck as a whole, since this can cause breakdowns and sometimes even accidents. These types of overweight violations place the driver and everyone else on the road in danger should the axle(s), brakes, or some other part fail under the strain.
Tickets and fines for these violations occur when a truck or other commercial vehicles weighs in at a weighing station or a portable police scale and exceeds the statutory limit. The amount of the fine depends on the number of pounds that the vehicle exceeded the limit. Fines for petty traffic offenses and misdemeanor traffic offenses can reach as high as $1,000 or even $2,500.
CDL Ticket Lawyer
Getting a ticket can not only be a drag for most people, but it can also be particularly problematic for a commercial motor vehicle driver. Illinois is particularly harsh about how it treats truck drivers who acquire a traffic ticket. If you're a commercial driver who was given a ticket or traffic citation by law enforcement, let me help. I, Attorney Mitch Furman, provides Chicago residents with a high level of advocacy and guidance. The sooner I hear about your case, the sooner I can begin to mount a defense on your behalf.
Notification of Employer
Commercial motor vehicle drivers must always possess a valid commercial driver's license (CDL). If someone with a CDL holder obtains a ticket in the state of Illinois, he or she must notify his or her employer within 30 days of receiving the citation.
Penalties
Serious offenses can result in your CDL being revoked, which can prevent you from working at all. Offenses that could lead to a CDL disqualification include tickets for reckless driving, refusing a chemical test, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Most disqualifications penalties are as follows:
- 1st violation: 1-year suspension; 3 years if transporting hazardous materials
- 2nd violation: lifetime suspension
Some DUI offenders could be eligible for reinstatement after 10 years, but this still is not an ideal situation if you depend on commercial trucking to earn a living.
Talk to Our Trucking Lawyer Today!
If you might be facing the loss of your commercial license, don't hesitate to give me a call today. I am a Chicago criminal defense lawyer dedicated to zealously advocating on your behalf to ensure your rights and driving privileges are defended. I have more than a decade of experience to offer your case. Let me help you prevent the loss of your livelihood.
Fight Your Ticket with a Traffic Attorney in Chicago
The Law Offices of Mitch Furman can provide a Chicago traffic defense attorney with the knowledge and experience to fight your ticket and protect your commercial driver's license. I have handled all types of traffic ticket cases and will go the extra mile to ensure that your license is not suspended. Act now to save your Illinois commercial driver's license!
Contact my firm today for your free case evaluation.