Question:
Early Monday morning found me at a little rest area north of Columbus OH on Hwy 23. I had stopped and took about a 2 hour nap and was only about 15 miles from where I had to deliver at. I was waiting for them to open up so I could call them for directions.
I was sitting in my drivers seat smoking a cig and having a Pepsi for breakfast. The cold front had begun to move in and it was cold, windy and rainy.
As I'm sitting there, a roll back 'dustpan' (1 ton flatbed wrecker) pulled in. Ohio Commercial Vehicle Enforcement car right on his tail with the lights going.
Now, keep in mind, it was about 32 degrees, windy, raining and getting nastier by the minute.
The Officers climbed out of the car, got rain slickers out of the trunk and then grabbed the portable scales, creeper, flashlight and any other equipment they needed.
They 'went to town' on this truck. Nasty weather and all!
Once I seen they were "deep into it", I drew a quick line in my logbook and hit the road.
The lesson here? Ya never know when you're gonna be inspected! Good weather or bad.....the DOT cops DO work in ALL TYPES of weather.
Keep your truck in top shape and your logbook up to date and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you not only left without getting a ticket, but the Officer possibly got soaking wet (depending on the weather where you're at).
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
You got that right. You can go across a scale 100 times and never be looked at. Then for some strange reason the 101'st time they'll be standing outside in the weather checking log books. A couple weeks ago while headed for Miami at 2am I was headed SE on US27. It's a small highway that cuts through the middle of SW Florida used mainly by dirt trucks and Chicken trucks. Never a problem and a nice easy drive through some small towns. Not this morning. At 2am there were no less than 10 DOT cops pulling trucks over for inspections. I'm sure they found lots of violations and made some good money that day. The Cb was yelping with warnings. But it didn't matter because they were doing randoms not speed stops. They like catching drivers off guard. If your preparred it wont be a problem when they stop you.
I think they'll be doing more of that come the first of the year.
"There is just something about fresh winter snow and a river. The day is bright even if it is cloudy, the water is friendly even if it is cold and the fish are there even if they are not biting."
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Team Driver Division

Answer:
I have heard this happen to other drivers too.
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
Sucks to be the driver of that rollback
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
When I was cruising along and started noticing that alot of trucks were stopped on ramps and pulling their curtains.....and then I came to a restarea, and there they were..... almost made it through and then one of them gave me the "high sign to pull in".
He jumped on my running board and said "I'll bet I just ruined your day!".... to which I replied "No, I don't think so, sir!"...in a most polite tone! He commenced to inspect me top to bottom, front to rear, finding only one minor gig with the rig... and that a simple fix it on the trailer.... so I still got my sticker for the tractor and he perused my log book and pronounced me good to go.
He was a Montana DOT Officer, polite and professional to a "T", and did his job right. I was happy I got the inspection...cuz a week later came the national blitz and I was in TX and they were doing some serious inspecting....
Boys and girls the best piece of advice I can give you is: Keep your stuff together, your ducks in order, INSPECT your vehicle every day, check your brake slack every day, and make darn sure you keep that log book to the minute!! When you stop, draw a line, when you start draw another one. If you get caught in violation...... it can be expensive!
They are out there...and they will get you if you screw up. You can get away with stuff sometimes, but Murphy's Law doesn't work in your favor.....
Get it right, get it tight, and keep it right & tight, period!!
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Have fun, be safe, and remember - the driver to watch the closest is the one behind the one in front of you!!
The BEST reason for having a "Positive Attitude" all of the time is because it will irritate the hell out of people!!

Answer:
You can bet when the new HOS come in effect they will be out there in full force. Lot of good money will be made by them the I think.
Drafter
Keep the wheels rolling

Answer:
Originally posted by Stuffs:
A couple weeks ago while headed for Miami at 2am I was headed SE on US27. It's a small highway that cuts through the middle of SW Florida used mainly by dirt trucks and Chicken trucks. Never a problem and a nice easy drive through some small towns. Not this morning. At 2am there were no less than 10 DOT cops pulling trucks over for inspections.
They worked this stretch heavily (South Bay) thirty years ago. Had to go to a motel one trip to wait them out...

Answer:
i was headed 2 co. when i seen a hand written sign scales 1 mile. it was a van sitting on the side of the road. i was mty so he let me go.