Council members in Independence, Kentucky, have just passed a new ordinance, imposing severe penalties for truck drivers who ignore “no thru trucks” signs on certain city roads.
City Administrator Chris Moriconi commented on the new rule,
“Prior to this ordinance we had little legal grounds to stop and fine large trucks, especially when they do damage. With the passage of this ordinance, we now have the legal means to recoup.”
The first violation will result in a $250 fine, plus the repair costs for any damage to the roadway. For the second fine, however, the penalties get a lot harsher. For violating the ordinance a second time, drivers will face a fine up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.
That’s right — 30 days in jail.
It’s perhaps one of the most severe local ordinances out of all the anti-trucker towns. The law was created, in part, due to a 2015 crash that closed the Pelly Road bridge. The bridge was struck by a semi truck, even though trucks are not allowed the road. The accident closed the bridge for more than a year and it cost an estimated $828,000 to repair.
Locals hope the new, stricter, laws, will prevent similar accidents from happening again in the future.
