Trucker gets $17,000 ticket? WTF?

A truck driver gets lost in the Philadelphia suburbs and winds up with a $17,000 traffic ticket.

It's not an urban legend - it happened and the NBC 10 Investigators have the proof. William Connell said he couldn't believe his eyes when he got a ticket for $17,751.50.

Carroll is an independent trucker out of Philadelphia. Recently, he was taking a load to be dropped off in East Whiteland Township, an area he was unfamiliar with. Carroll said he missed a cockeyed sign at a corner where he had to make a right turn. The next thing he knew, he was in a residential neighborhood.

"But once you get in the there with a 53-footer, its impossible to get out," Carroll said.

PennDOT spokesman Charlie Metzger said they, along with the East Whiteland Police Department were just enforcing a law that penalizes trucks that are too heavy for certain bridges and roadways, which might be damaged by overweight vehicles.

The NBC 10 Investigators' Vince DeMentri asked Metzger why the ticket was $17,000. "It's $150 for the fine, and then it's $150 for every 500 pounds over the 3,000-pound weight limit," Metzger said.

Carroll said it is not fair because the sign warning of the fine was bent and somewhat obstructed. Article here.