§ 14. Rules and regulations for state highways. The commissioner of transportation is hereby empowered to make rules and regulations from time to time for the protection of any state highway or section thereof. He may prohibit the use of chains or armored tires by motor vehicles upon such highways, and any violation of this section shall be punishable as a traffic infraction. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall for a first conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than fifteen days or by both such fine and imprisonment; for a second such conviction within eighteen months thereafter such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than forty-five days or by both such fine and imprisonment; upon a third or subsequent conviction within eighteen months after the first conviction such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than ninety days or by both such fine and imprisonment.