I always knew the DOT folks could stop you if they wanted, commericial or not, as they are a State Officer. They are the same as a Game Warden, or a State University Cop, which can also stop you anywhere they want. Albeit, I rarely see a non-commericial vehicle stopped here in FL by the DOT in can happen. Anyways, I heard I few months back that the DOT was going to crack down on safety type violations on the non-com vehicles.
DOT and non comercial traffic
- Thread starter Soundguy
- Start date
- Views: 29334
dcyrilc
Elite Member
Here in Washington, we have recently had a lot of serious accidents caused by unsecure loads. Because of this the State has tightened the laws and now DOT or State Patrol will pull over anyone with a questionable load. If the load ends up being secure, you'll be allowed to go on your way. If not, you'll be cited and the rig isn't going anywhere until the load is made secure. Commercial or not doesn't matter. It could be a car with a 2x4 tied to the roof rack.
OP
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
it could be.. as I passed at 30mph waving at him, I could see only 2 straps on his 3 pipe load.. and they loked a bit loose.. like real loose.
Assuming they though he was comercial.. I guess stopping for unsecured load was a valid idea for the dot cop ??
soundguy
OP
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
On irregular loads I like to do 1 tie down plus 1 tie down for each 10' of a load. on a tractor or similar I like one at each corener, one over the trans, and one over the loader and on any implement in back.
soundguy
captaincrab55
Silver Member
One also needs to know the weight of their load, so it can be secured with the proper tie downs.
Jaylegger
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2009
- Messages
- 709
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson GC2600L
Here's a partial list of "description of duties" for Florida DOT officers . After looking at Chapter 334 of Florida Statutes it would appear the DOT officer may have the power to pull over non-commercial vehicles in the enforcement of the states traffic laws which would include proper load securement for non-commerical vehicles.
Description of Duties
Law Enforcement Officer Description of Duties This is a sworn law enforcement officer position and the incumbent shall meet the qualifications established by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission in Chapter 943, F.S., and have the same law enforcement powers as other peace officers as prescribed in Chapters 334, 316, and 901, F.S. Duties include making arrests, carrying firearms, enforcing provisions of weight, load, size, tax, traffic regulations, driver's license, registration, and safety laws found in Florida Statute Chapters 316, 320, 322, 207, and safety and hazardous materials regulations found in Title 49 C.F.R., and other violations of applicable laws and regulations. This position requires unusual work hours, travel, and emergency assignments according to agency needs.
While patrolling or working assigned facilities, weigh vehicles with portable or fixed scales, measure vehicles for over dimensional violations, review special overweight/dimensional permits for compliance, inspect license tags and fuel permits to ensure proper taxes have been paid and issue temporary fuel permits. Pursue and arrest criminal and traffic law violators, assists other law enforcement officers in the performance of their lawful duties, conducts traffic stops and investigations relating to illegal possession and transportation of contraband. Performs safety inspections of CMVs drivers, reviews hours of service records, and places unsafe vehicles and drivers out of service. Enforces traffic laws with an emphasis on CMV violations including CDL violations, reckless or impaired drivers, highly excessive speed, and following too closely. Inspect vehicles and drivers for violations of hazardous materials regulations and conducts investigations at HM incidents. Issues commercial vehicle citations, uniform traffic citations, driver/vehicle examinations reports, conducts surveillance, conducts post crash investigations and compliance reviews as directed, completing complex reports of such investigations and inspections. Impounds vehicles, conducts related investigations, and assists in the collection of penalties owed to the State. Conduct investigations relating to the security of our State's transportation infrastructure and provides for domestic security in general. Responds to mutual aid events as required. Maintains and safely operates emergency vehicles and agency equipment.
Description of Duties
Law Enforcement Officer Description of Duties This is a sworn law enforcement officer position and the incumbent shall meet the qualifications established by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission in Chapter 943, F.S., and have the same law enforcement powers as other peace officers as prescribed in Chapters 334, 316, and 901, F.S. Duties include making arrests, carrying firearms, enforcing provisions of weight, load, size, tax, traffic regulations, driver's license, registration, and safety laws found in Florida Statute Chapters 316, 320, 322, 207, and safety and hazardous materials regulations found in Title 49 C.F.R., and other violations of applicable laws and regulations. This position requires unusual work hours, travel, and emergency assignments according to agency needs.
While patrolling or working assigned facilities, weigh vehicles with portable or fixed scales, measure vehicles for over dimensional violations, review special overweight/dimensional permits for compliance, inspect license tags and fuel permits to ensure proper taxes have been paid and issue temporary fuel permits. Pursue and arrest criminal and traffic law violators, assists other law enforcement officers in the performance of their lawful duties, conducts traffic stops and investigations relating to illegal possession and transportation of contraband. Performs safety inspections of CMVs drivers, reviews hours of service records, and places unsafe vehicles and drivers out of service. Enforces traffic laws with an emphasis on CMV violations including CDL violations, reckless or impaired drivers, highly excessive speed, and following too closely. Inspect vehicles and drivers for violations of hazardous materials regulations and conducts investigations at HM incidents. Issues commercial vehicle citations, uniform traffic citations, driver/vehicle examinations reports, conducts surveillance, conducts post crash investigations and compliance reviews as directed, completing complex reports of such investigations and inspections. Impounds vehicles, conducts related investigations, and assists in the collection of penalties owed to the State. Conduct investigations relating to the security of our State's transportation infrastructure and provides for domestic security in general. Responds to mutual aid events as required. Maintains and safely operates emergency vehicles and agency equipment.
OP
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
I figured they -could-.. I just rarely see a dot officer behind a noncom vehicle.
guess the states generating revenue...
ironically.. I see some pretty shabby loaded trailers around our town.. grossly overloaded.. truck rear squatted almost rubbing.. fronts bouncing up and down.. or 3x the volume on a trailer with stuff hanging out and falling off. in contrast.. those are the ones I think should get stopped.. not a 25' trailer that is 8' wide with 3 pieces of? 10' 15" pipe on it..
we'll see.. when i get info I'll update this thread.
soundguy
guess the states generating revenue...
ironically.. I see some pretty shabby loaded trailers around our town.. grossly overloaded.. truck rear squatted almost rubbing.. fronts bouncing up and down.. or 3x the volume on a trailer with stuff hanging out and falling off. in contrast.. those are the ones I think should get stopped.. not a 25' trailer that is 8' wide with 3 pieces of? 10' 15" pipe on it..
we'll see.. when i get info I'll update this thread.
soundguy
Jaylegger
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2009
- Messages
- 709
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson GC2600L
I suspect the DOT officer just happened to be behind the guy and noticed something unsafe and therefore his was both morally and ethically obligated to remedy the situation.
medicshawn
Platinum Member
Unless Florrida operates differently than other states he is a "sworn Law Enforcement officer". This means he enforces ALL of the states laws. His primary focus may be Commercial motor vehicles and traffic enforcement but he still has the authority to enforce any state law. His department may have guidelines as was outlined above but he has the authority to enforce all state laws. He may also have some special powers and or training to enforce Federal DOT regulations.
In Virginia we have Fire Marshals they are given the authority to enforce fire code and investigate fires, but the still carry Law enforcement powers to enforce state laws.
In Virginia we have Fire Marshals they are given the authority to enforce fire code and investigate fires, but the still carry Law enforcement powers to enforce state laws.
OP
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
I'm not disputing the fact the dot man COULD do what he did.. it's just not what I normally see here.
must be a new revenue enforcement campaign.. er.. I mean safety campaign..
soundguy
must be a new revenue enforcement campaign.. er.. I mean safety campaign..
soundguy
