A motor truck, truck tractor, tractor, trailer, or other vehicle, machine, or contrivance, shall not be operated over the highways of the State of Vermont in violation of any provision of this title relative to the weight of the vehicle, machine, or contrivance. In a prosecution for these violations, the proper defendant shall be either the owner or lessee of the vehicle, machine, or contrivance or the person who moves or operates the vehicle, machine, or contrivance. (Amended 1971, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 23; 1995, No. 89 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)