DOT to shut down on Tuesday

I will keep this short as it pisses me off. It really amazes me how congress adjourns for the weekend and won't be back till Tuesday. What amazes me about that is they are still getting paid, yet starting Tuesday the majority of DOT employees will be sitting at home not getting paid because their elected officials can't agree on a bill. HEY CONGRESS, how's about you get your asses back to work and actually accomplish something for the greater good. That's what you were elected to do!

http://www.landlinemag.com/Special_Reports/2010/Feb/022610-DOT-to-shut-down.htm

South Dakota Bill

This pretty much explains why current and legal log books are so important. Although a driver can also be placed Out Of Service for other issues as well, the most popular being improper brake adjustment. Pre and post trip inspections are vital and another reason I try to keep my truck clean. It's easier to spot something out of the norm.

http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2010/Feb10/022210/022510-04.htm

Met a NC Trooper Today

I just left the rest area at MM 44 on I-26E. There is no traffic at all headed east either. Well, besides a truck ahead of me.

I am heading down this 6% grade at 60mph. The speed limit is 55, but that is where the Jake was holding it at and every 30 seconds or so I would touch the brakes and slow to 55. That is done so the brakes don't burn up and start on fire.

Anyway, I am approaching this truck and we are almost to the bottom of the hill when I see a patrol car on the right median. No lights on and no customer (but he was apparently fishing for one).. So, ahead of him about 1/4 mile I can see the sign that says END TRUCK RESTRICTION...

I proceed to move over to not only pass the truck, but to move over for the stopped trooper. At that time I noticed I was going 60 and thinking, SHIT!!!

Well, as I look in my mirror, here he comes.. Gets behind me to where I can see him and hits the lights...

He walks up and I have my permit book, logbook and license ready for him. He looks at the logbook and says "damn, that's a neat logbook." He asks if I know why he pulled me over. This is where I am at my best.. I play stupid with the best of 'em. "No sir I don't", I said..

He than asks if I saw the 4 signs within the past 4 miles that said NO TRUCKS LEFT LANE. Well, yes I did but.... And he gets off the truck and walks to his car.

Comes back 3 min later with a computer printout. Yeah, troopers are all high tech today. No more carbon copy ticket book for the NC Troopers.

Anyway, he tells me that I have been cited for "designated lane disobedience" and that my court date is April 8th at the Polk Co Courthouse. He explained that if I choose to just pay the fine the instructions are highlighted. Well, that sure was nice of him to highlight that area for me wasn't it?

The fine is $50 and than the court cost is $130. Even if I don't go to court I have to pay the total. Chances are I won't be anywhere near the Polk County Courthouse on that date and the hassle of trying to get there would cost more than the fine. So, I will just pay the fine and I guess pay more attention from now on.

I could come up with all kinds of excuses why I shouldn't have got the ticket. Some would be extremely valid as well. However, this is one of those times I believe it is best to shut-up and color..

Oh, and the irony in all of this for ya.. See previous blog..... Damn you Sen Gibbs.. LOL

Dear Sen. Dan Gibbs

Read this first: http://bit.ly/aNyXde

To the Honorable Mr. Gibbs,

First let me start by saying that you have no clue what you are talking about and would bet you have NEVER driven a commercial vehicle. Because if you had, you would know that there are many variables that come into play when traversing a mountain. Most importantly would be weight. By your proposal you are saying that no matter what we (Professional Drivers) have to stay in the right lane no matter what. You obviously have put no thought into this nor has many of your fellow colleagues.

If you had, you would know that not all CMVs weigh exactly the same. That means I could be 44K lbs and another truck could be grossed out at 80K lbs. So now I have to slow down from 60 or 55 to follow him or her? How fair is that?

Secondly, how does one semi passing another cause a safety issue? Oh yeah, you said that it causes cars to slam on their breaks. No sir! What causes cars to slam on their brakes are the drivers of those cars not paying attention to what is ahead of them. I can tell by the article that you are one of the thousands of drivers I see in a day that hate to get stuck behind a semi. Yet, if you just relaxed for a minute or two you would be well on your way.

See Mr. Big Shot Senator who hath no clue, your car can slow down and accelerate a helluva a lot faster than even an empty semi.

How about educating drivers on driving around semis? That would probably be to easy though.

This is just like all the states that make trucks stay in the 2 right lanes going through major cities. We are just passing through but yet we are forced to start and stop because cars don't know how to merge or have to jockey for position which causes everyone else to tap their brakes.. I see it everyday and at this point it is comical to me.

I am not saying as a Professional Driver I am better than anyone else, what I am saying is that common sense should be used and people should just chill out. We all have deadlines and places to be.

I wonder how your voters would like it if truckers boycotted hauling freight in and out of your state? Not to mention all of the taxes you would lose from highway use tax and fuel tax.

Thank you for your time senator and I am sure this di nothing to sway your narrow views.

Truckies are modern knights of road

Have no idea who wrote this, but HERE HERE!!!! http://bit.ly/agsCYi

I'm not a truck driver, but totally support the men and women who drive these big rigs. They do long hours and have to contend with foolish motorists who don't use their brains when passing a truck.

Truckies are just trying to make a living, but I feel they get unfairly targeted. Most are very courteous and considerate, and a lot of these drivers report dangerous driving and help out at accidents.

Incidentally, I can't say I've ever heard of a truck driver drinking and driving. Truck accidents don't account for much of the annual road toll, and in most accidents involving trucks versus cars, it is the fault of the car driver.

I totally agree with having safe and road-worthy trucks on our roads but a lot of the faults found are very minor ones and pose no great threat to road safety.

I feel a lot of the motivation is revenue gathering. Trucks are easy targets because of their high usage and the number of things that can go wrong.

They shouldn't be automatically fined; an opportunity should be given to fix the fault. Are all trucks expected to undergo a daily mechanical inspection in a workshop? Even then, a fault can appear soon after a check. I really think a fault would still be found, even with a new truck, with a new warrant of fitness.

How many serious accidents are there every year that involve trucks, with the cause being a mechanical fault? Many accidents are caused by a car driver crossing the centre line or animals or oil/diesel on the road. Why aren't all vehicles randomly inspected at the roadside?

Cars and light vehicles, where the driver has been drinking, not wearing a seat belt or speeding, should be more of an enforcement target.  

Truckie SUPPORTER