Any person, firm or corporation who violates any reasonable rule or regulation prescribed by the State Department of Transportation for the better construction, repair and maintenance, protection and preservation of the public roads, bridges, highways and rights-of-way of roads and highways of this state shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 and, at the discretion of the judge trying the case, may also be sentenced to hard labor for the county for a term not to exceed six months, unless otherwise provided by law.