Whenever any vehicle is operated in violation of the provisions of a permit issued under section 7-15-121 of this chapter by operating with axle weights in excess of those authorized in such permit, the owner or driver of the vehicle shall be deemed guilty of a business offense, and either the owner or driver of the vehicle may be prosecuted for such violation. Any person, firm, or corporation convicted of such violation shall be fined in an amount not less than two cents ($0.02) nor more than five cents ($0.05) per pound for each pound of excess weight on such axle or tandem axle in excess of the weight authorized in the permit when the excess is one thousand (1,000) pounds or less; not less than five cents ($0.05) nor more than ten cents ($0.10) per pound for each pound of excess weight when the excess exceeds one thousand (1,000) pounds and is two thousand (2,000) pounds or less; not less than ten cents ($0.10) nor more than fifteen cents ($0.15) per pound for each pound of excess weight when the excess exceeds two thousand (2,000) pounds and is three thousand (3,000) pounds or less; and not less than fifteen cents ($0.15) nor more than twenty cents ($0.20) per pound for each pound of excess weight when the excess exceeds three thousand (3,000) pounds. Penalties for violations of this section shall be in addition to any penalties imposed in section 7-15-124.1 of this chapter. (2016 Code)