The Wyoming Department of Transportation has initiated a public awareness campaign about the stringent new penalties for disobeying highway closures meant for light and high-profile vehicles, effective from July 1. The “Light and High-Profile Vehicle Closures Bill” (SF0113), approved in the 2024 legislative session, clarifies that anyone who “willfully fails to observe any sign, marker, warning, notice or direction” concerning these closures could face misdemeanor charges. Offenders might confront a fine of $1,000 and a maximum of 30 days in jail. Repeat violations within a three-year timeframe can result in a $2,500 fine and a reckless driving charge under Wyoming Statute 31-5-229, potentially impacting their driving license.
The law specifically targets the driver in control of the vehicle during the violation, ensuring they are accountable for any penalties upon conviction. Col. Tim Cameron with the Wyoming Highway Patrol stated, “We hope these new penalties will be a better deterrent for drivers who otherwise may decide to test their luck and chance the wind closures to save some time.” He emphasized that risky decisions often lead to accidents, injuries, and road closures for cleanup, which disrupts everyone’s schedules.
Not only commercial trucks but also RVs, campers, moving vans, utility trailers, and other large vehicles fall under the classification of light and high-profile under this legislation. Subsection (d) also indicates that the fines apply to other weight-based restrictions not related to wind. “Even on highways without strong wind restrictions, like Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass, drivers who willfully disregard weight restriction signage will be subject to these steeper penalties,” added Cameron.
Source: The Trucker
