Driver 411 Help

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by irrtaional x, Apr 17, 2012.

  1. irrtaional x

    irrtaional x Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Apr 17, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
    0
    OK, so does that mean oversized loads check in with local DOT/police or are just highly restricted? Any rule of thumb for that? We spend 99% of our time on local highway/country road/local road so its the mid-size trucks (around here its tomato haulers) that I really want to be cognoscente of...

    If I send my cue sheets (turn-by-turns for the riders) to local PD or DOT do you think they could compare them to the truck routes?

    The back strobe idea is brilliant actually. I have a really high powered headlight that does about 900 lumens, with some tweaking I bet I can make a quick release for it. Problem: it strobes white. As a driver, would you notice one color over another more than you would notice brightness?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. ghz24

    ghz24 Bobtail Member

    43
    11
    Mar 25, 2012
    peoria, IL
    0
    I don't know if the DOT will be of much help but it can't hurt to ask them and see.

    Permitted loads are a maze of regulations with each state being potentially different I drove trucks in the eastern US so I'm unfamiliar with CA rules.
    But in general if the load is over size or over weight the driver must get a permit from every state traveled through (before they enter the state I think).

    So there is a state authority that knows about the permits it has issued local police are probably not aware of specific loads but they may know what local roads are truck routes.
    If you want to know if a road is a truck route find a (motor carrier) truckers atlas, truck routes should be in red. But the roads in black may have some truck traffic.
    In general a truck can go on Interstates,US highways, State highways.
    Also some county roads are designated as truck routes and trucks are allowed a certain distance off the truck route to get fuel,and make deliveries. ect
     
  4. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

    7,985
    4,366
    Feb 24, 2012
    0
    So your risk analysis says it's an acceptable risk to leave riders unprotected with no chase vehicle in multiple packs?

    And you want to blame this on the trucking community?


    You're right...

    You can't solve for stupid.

    Get more chase vehicles then.
     
  5. irrtaional x

    irrtaional x Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Apr 17, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
    0
    I wasn't aware that I blamed the trucking community? I dont think i hve made any disparaging comments about truckers here... If my comments were misconstrued that way please accept my apologies. That was not my intent at all, I'm simply trying to find a way to help alert everyone to our pressence on the road as best I can to try to make sure there isn't another preventable collision.

    But do think for a second about your words... Under the law a bike is the same as a car, and they don't require flag vehicles do they? Having a chase vehicle is a luxury for us, not a requirement, and there are several cross country trips with no SAG at all. Your talking to a charity, not a professional racing team, we're just regular people that go out and ride to raise money for our neighbors (we do not donate overseas) not to pick fights with other motorists or fight with truckers on the internet.

    Anyway, CB shop nearby hooked it up today and helped me configure my handheld - turns out it included CB I just never used it.

    Thanks to ghz24 an mndriver for giving me some good intel instead of grabbing the pitchforks and torches :biggrin_25514:
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2012
  6. irrtaional x

    irrtaional x Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Apr 17, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
    0
    this is a gold mine! Thanks much.
     
  7. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

    3,324
    577
    Aug 12, 2009
    Seminole Florida
    0
    :biggrin_25513: I just don't want to see anyone else hurt :biggrin_25513:

    Tampabay is ground zero for bike deaths some weeks we have 3 or more ...
     
  8. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

    7,985
    4,366
    Feb 24, 2012
    0
    You are correct. A single bike IS just like a car. But a bike event like this IS a special event.

    You may not have said it directly, but at least for me, the implication was there.

    There are no luxuries when it comes to safety. Either you account for it, or it's an accepted risk.
     
  9. 555 BigHorn Mobile

    555 BigHorn Mobile Bobtail Member

    29
    6
    Sep 23, 2011
    0
    It all comes down to the words Common Sense
    if you want a bike rally i have no problem with that
    more power to you
    dont get on a 1 lane road and have 5 and 6 bikes across the road and running 10 miles an hour and expect not to get run over thats just being a total idiot and not planning very well

    get out away from town on a road where the bikes can ride on the shoulder
    well actually its against the law for anyone to use the shoulder except for emergencys
    so that stops anyone from riding a bike on the shoulder and around the bumpity bumpities and the ditch

    hey do what Lubbock Texas did
    spend all this tax payers money to build whatare called bike routes
    and use the bike routes
    stay off the highways

    do i have a problem with bike riders ?? No
    i have a problem when they impede traffic and pile ups begin behind them
    impeding traffic is when one can not keep up or stay up with the regular flow of traffic and other are having to stop and slow down and go around which can cause headon collisions

    another idea go to a work out fitness area
    everyone take their turns on the fitness bikes
    its indoors air cooled and out of everyones way

    and also some states say that bikers can ride 2 abreast from each other
    until they begin to impede traffic

    think about this
    you on a 15 to 20 lb bike and it comes in contact with a 3 to 4 thousand pound vehicle the vehicle is going to win
    so first you better give respect

    Another thing to keep in mind even if you are riding two abreast and using the car lanes is the speed. If you are biking at only 15 or 20 mph and the speed limit is 30 or 40 mph, you can be cited for dangerous driving. Regardless, it is rude and inconsiderate to have to force other folks doing the speed limit to have to brake just so you can enjoy your leisurely bike ride

    Good luck with the bike rally and hope you have a great turnout
     
  10. Eaton18

    Eaton18 Road Train Member

    1,755
    1,103
    Sep 3, 2011
    Waverly, KS
    0
    First I'm not bashing these "bicycle rallies". However the ones I've encountered are nothing but extremely dangerous and an accident looking for a place to happen. Try and picture this scenario...

    A couple of years ago I was driving an end-dump for a local construction company. I was hauling rock from a local quarry on a county blacktop road. This road had a few hills, no shoulders. I was aware of the bicyclists, as they had some checkpoints set up. The problem is they get all strung out, may have 5-10 in a group, then maybe 1 or 2. Well as I top a hill I see 8 of them, riding 3 abreast taking the entire lane. Cars coming from the other direction. I'm only traveling at about 45 mph. Luckily the approaching cars seen what could have quickly happened, and slammed on their brakes, giving me some room. I was hard on mine. The bikers, well they turned and looked at me as I brushed by, only 3 moving to the side. I thought that I was having a heart-attack, my heart was pounding, I thought I was not going to be able to miss them or the oncoming cars. That's the one time, that if there was room for me to stop my truck off the road, I would have....well I won't elaborate any further on that..

    Riding a bicycle on any highway, or roadway where motor-vehicle traffic normally runs 55 mph or greater is nothing but suicide. I think you all need to be committed to a mental institution!! Sorry just my opinion based on a bad, bad, experience.

    Would a CB radio helped? Nope, didn't have one in the truck. No need for one as we only worked locally.
     
  11. irrtaional x

    irrtaional x Bobtail Member

    12
    0
    Apr 17, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
    0
    @555 Bighorn
    Trust me, I know what a fat body on a 20lb bike is like when it gets hit by a multi-ton vehicle.... I was hit while stopped at a red light (hillarious story, but not appropriate for this forum - I was fine) so I can "feel" what you're talking about LOL.

    I live in an extremely bike friendly city and I wouldn't ride side by side if you paid me. There is no radio in the world that can outrun stupid... Riding 2+ abreast is beyond stupid unless you're in BFE Nevada...The rule for us: Strictly one-by-one, single file (or rotating), for motorists safety as much as ours.

    If you see cyclists riding parallel outside a "one off" passing type scenario give them a light honk, honestly do it, I (and most serious cyclists) appreciate an advanced warning that a truck is coming by. Around here it is near common courtesy (two light blasts about 1/8mi behind) so I can be sure to clear the lane (if possible) or handsignal the driver if there is nowhere for me to move over.

    Sidenote: 8 states explicitly bar riding 2+ abreast, and most states (thankfully) ban 3+ abreast. One common misconception is abreast vs "dropping" that I figure I can help resolve with graphic: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/pagraphics.nsf/HTML+Storage+Lookup/ssch7num2/$file/chap7num2.gif
    The graphic at left is the WORSTE CASE that anyone should encounter on the road. The lead rider will signal then take the lane (unless space permits in the bike lane) then the rider will drop to the back of the line to draft.

    If you encounter something more than that? Give em a blast or two from a ways back to move em... Then give a wave as you go by so we know you aren't pissed... For uur or, it's a disqualifying offense to interfere with traffic or violate ANY state or federal traffic law but who is better to police us than other motorists?

    @Eaton
    The people you encountered were either dumb or mental, or maybe both. 3 breast on a county hwy? Thats asking for it in the worst way especially with hills and turns. I've ridden 4 abreast but that was on a Co. highway in Nowheresville without a car for 25 miles in either direction (trust me, we coud see at LEAST that far). Please don't hold it against us cyclists in general :biggrin_255:. As far as being committed to an institution... my doctor said the same thing when I went for my physical... 4100 miles on Co. roads for charity? It's a bit nuts I'll grant you that, but we aim to be the best of the best, not those clowns trying to be Italian cycling heroes on city streets.

    Sidenote: no response to my breaker on 19.... How do I tell if its my handhealds range or if people dont want to talk to me? :biggrin_2559:
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.