Stopped by DOT

[QRTRHRS]

The rage in our area currently is installing "red light" cameras. These will get you for the obvious running a light but also for making a right-on-red without coming to a full stop. The politicians will tell you they're for safety but on the other hand they want to project big increases in fines to help balance the budget of our going broke counties. So technically they're not directly issuing citations to match the budget but they are installing the cameras to balance the budget; it is $$millions per year. My personal feeling is that things like cameras are more for the revenue generation than providing safer roads.

I am on the other side of the coin on Red Light cameras. Don't run the light or make a stop and there is no ticket involved. I spent some time as a fireman and cleaned up some pretty bad accidents from people running Red and Yellow lights. The impact that someone running a light to save some time is not worth it in my opinion. But that is my opinion. If they get some of my money for running a light or not stopping then it is my bad and I will own up to it.

I think you both have a valid point. One thing for sure is that right on red is a nightmare for the pedestrian. The glare from the driver is "how dare you step out in front of me".

 

[aczlan]

Oh gee Aaron then I would have to say what in the heck were they following that closely for?

I have seen people one car length from the stop line doing 35 slam on their brakes when the light turned yellow. Normally one would go through the intersection being as there isnt time to safely stop behind the stop line.

Last I heard, a red light meant stop? And the rear-ender was usually following too close.

Sorry, I meant yellow, not red. See above for a scenario that I have seen.

Aaron Z

 

[RadarTech]

In my situation the MD DOT was going after landscaper/mower trailers and the occasional Class A restricted truck/trailer hook-up. Spring thru Fall my area is a hotbed for landscaping and mowing trailers up and down the road. DOT set up in the perfect spot and was nailing cats right and left. They didn't offer a fact sheet on how to be DOT compliant just nail you for what you had wrong. I'm all for safety but it would be nice if we knew what to do.
Since I'll be hauling my JD 3520 on my 10,000 lb trailer it would be nice to know to the correct way to transport it. I do have the 10,000 lb ratchet straps that I"ve been told by a friend is acceptable. I guess I'll overkill just to make sure everything is ok. Any advice on transporting my tractor would be appreciated. I'll check out the MD DOT website again.

I wonder if you sent a freedom of information act request if you would get anything....

 

[Robb71]

I understand the resentment for the revenue enforcement aspect of the various state DOT agencies and feel the same way. But with some off the rigs I've seen going down the road we need someone keeping an eye out for the accidents waiting to happen.

 

[tlbuser]

The DOT inspection I went threw was a learning curve. "07 tamdem axel septic tanker with a '06 interstate 40 ton lowboy with a case 580L hoe on it. All my paper work was in order :thumbsup: Front chains on backhoe start around the front axel and grap hooked to it self, then threw the D-ring on the trailer then to the loader lift arm and tightened with a rachet binder. The rear chains go from the hoe frame to the D-ring and tightened with R-binder. Another chain and binder on the hoe by the bucket and good to go. NOT They want front chains to hold main part of tractor and seperate chain to hold loader/bucket. I asked if they could show me how to do this. Got one of those looks, you know. Wrote me up for a unlighted plate on the trailer. I mounted the plate on the ramp not where the plate light was on the center rear of trailer.

He said when I come back from the job if they where still here to pull in. I took the 18 mile long way home:confused2:

Over 10K - 1.Accessory equipment, such as hydraulic shovels, must be completely lowered and secured to the vehicle.

They probably wanted to see the chain on the bucket, similar to what you did on the rear. And, for some reason, secured to the vehicle means the tow vehicle. Easy to see why I have someone else haul my stuff around.

 

[tlbuser]

revenue enforcement...especially since they didn't show you the correct way to do it. clearly unconcerned with safety if they let you leave 'in violation'...

pitiful....

time to take back OUR government people... votes count...

soundguy

If you're breaking the rules, it's not revenue enforcement. They are doing what they are paid for. As a taxpayer, why doesn't that make you happy?

 

[unbidden]

I understand the resentment for the revenue enforcement aspect of the various state DOT agencies and feel the same way. But with some off the rigs I've seen going down the road we need someone keeping an eye out for the accidents waiting to happen.

As is par for the course, it is the actions of a few that cause the majority to suffer. JMHO, concerning the trucking industry, tired drivers are probably more to blame than faulty equipment in the industry. Time is money and a small number of operators fudge on their travel logs. Of course, the actions of those driving cars probably outweighs all the above in causing trucking mishaps; cutting, weaving, speeding, texting, etc.

Found an interesting site: A&I online - Motor Carrier Analysis and Information Resources Online

 

[FredH]

Ah Yes the FMSCA web site . Back to the Original thread , Not sure about were you live , but here in Southern Oregon not only are there State DOT , but we also have County DOT .

Normally the State does not mess with smaller rigs as mentioned before UNLESS you are foolish enough to drive on the freeway and go through the Port of Entry , ( there is a way to bypass it :thumbsup: ) . That is were the county DOT lurks , they like to hang out around main highways , choke points , crossroads , etc.... , and set up their jump scales . I have seen them even weigh a straight pick-up that they apparently felt was overloaded .:confused2:

Years ago I was driving locally here delivering lumber . Truck was your typical flatbed type truck that you see in lumber yards , licensed for 26,000# . Had One , that's right " 1" unit of Plywood on truck , Pea Brain County weigh master pulled me over , set up his jump scales and weighed the **** truck . This was within eye sight of the South Bound State scales on I-5 in Southern Oregon . I had exited the freeway before the scale , took 2 rights to get to our south valley fueling location and that's when he lite me up . Once done , let me go , got fuel , back onto freeway were I crossed the State scale only to receive a red Light . WTF !!!

State DOT came out to the side of the truck and that is what HE ASKED , ( WTF ) . He wanted to know what I did to tick off the County person , ( I knew this DOT weigh master very well since I met him while riding with my Dad ) . He got a good laugh out of it , 1 unit of plywood and it took him longer to set-up the scales than it did to weigh the truck , My Tax Dollars at work .:confused2:

Fred H.

 

[RobertN]

Ah yes, the yellow light. Yellow = hit the gas Mabel! I think that is a world wide standard

Sorry, I meant yellow, not red. See above for a scenario that I have seen.

 

[chopped]

If you're breaking the rules, it's not revenue enforcement. They are doing what they are paid for. As a taxpayer, why doesn't that make you happy?

Breaking the rules is one thing I believe what he means is that it would make much more sence for them to show him how its done right (or as they want it).After all this is the purpose of it.
But this would come under the 'discretionary aspect' of law enforcement as stated in previous threads.
To me it would indicate an enforcer who just doesn't understand the over all meaning of their job.I once worked with a retires officer and I asked how he could turn in a cruiser with a full tank of gas and no put on mileage after a shift of sitting . He told me he would run down the highway lights etc, back and forth and put the miles on and burn up the fuel..lol:confused2: