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What to do when you only have one choice...and its illegal

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ridgerunner665, Jul 30, 2009.

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  1. Jul 30, 2009 #1
    Ridgerunner665

    Ridgerunner665 Road Train Member

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    Apr 27, 2009
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    I'm not a new driver, but I thought this fit best in here.

    I 26 westbound, just starting down the Green River Gorge in North Carolina (about mile marker 56)...We all know trucks aren't allowed in the left lane through there...right?

    I'm easing along in the right lane at about 57 mph, I was in no hurry when I heard on the CB..."Westbound you got a bear watching your side at the bottom of the gorge"...about 5 seconds later, a truck comes flying past me and whips his truck into the right lane just in front of me, as he changes lanes he gets on the brakes HARD. I'm loaded with 45,000 lbs of steel and cannot slow down as fast as he does...so to avoid hitting him in the arse, I got in the left lane (kinda in a hurry like...but I did check to make sure it was clear first, and it was). And I got a ticket for a "Left Lane Violation", $171 to pay it or $271 to fight it through Drivers Legal Plan...I'm gonna fight it.

    The events that led up to me being in the left lane happened just before we came into the officers view...and I know he wrote the ticket based on what he saw, which was me in the left lane...but he wouldn't even let me try to explain, he wasn't really rude...just all business and made it clear that I could save my arguments for court...I told him I'd see him there. (or at least my attorney will)

    I had 3 choices in that situation and VERY little time to think about it...(1) I could have either hit him and had an accident, (2) I could have MAYBE slowed down fast enough to keep from hitting him (very doubtful and I don't think I could have) and stayed in the right lane but then I would have surely gotten a ticket for following too close, which is a major violation in a commercial vehicle, or (3) do what I did and get in the left lane.

    Traffic was very light, the roads were clear, and it was daytime.

    What would you guys have done??? Did I have any other options???
     
    Ridgerunner665, Jul 30, 2009
    Ridgerunner665, Jul 30, 2009
    #1
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  3. Jul 30, 2009 #2
    Hitman

    Hitman Mr. Gamer

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    I'm not a driver, but it sounds to me you made the right choice. It's probably going to come down to whether the judge believes you or not.
     
    Hitman, Jul 30, 2009
    Hitman, Jul 30, 2009
    #2
  4. Jul 30, 2009 #3
    mike62025

    mike62025 Bobtail Member

    27
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    Apr 11, 2009
    Edwardsville, IL
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    I had a sitituation almost like yours in Indiana outside Chicago...I got a 3rd lane violation because a truck hauling bricks did the same thing to me...Have you ever heard the expression "in the wrong place at the wrong time" the cop pulled you over, not the "however many trucks" that were behind you that saw the incident...It's to bad CUZ YOU DID THE RIGHT THING...Cops need a CB and monitor it like they used to...
     
    mike62025, Jul 30, 2009
    mike62025, Jul 30, 2009
    #3
  5. Jul 31, 2009 #4
    Ranger309

    Ranger309 Light Load Member

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    You didn't get in an accident and you could have with this speedball cutting you off, so yeah you done good.

    Did you get the name of the company of the rig the driver was cutting you off in?

    Go to court and tell the truth. That's all you can do now.
     
    Ranger309, Jul 31, 2009
    Ranger309, Jul 31, 2009
    #4
  7. Jul 31, 2009 #5
    Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Sounds like this comes under the heading of "making the best of a bad situation." Man you can beat yourself up about it, and other folks can Monday Morning Quarterback you forever, but YOU were the one who had to make a decision. And you made it in a split second. Since you did not crash, it obviously was the right decision.

    Considering the situation, your load, the grade etc. You really didn't have a lot of choice. Good luck on this one, and remember that however it turns out, You are still around to talk about it!:yes2557:
     
    Big Don, Jul 31, 2009
    Big Don, Jul 31, 2009
    #5
  8. Jul 31, 2009 #6
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Vegas/Jersey
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    What I would have done is come down the grade slower so if I had to use my brakes they would be just as if I was on level ground. But clearly the other driver caused you to take an action to avoid hitting his trailer. But just be ready to hear from the court you should have been going slower. This is a catch 22 situation for you because you're going to be looked at by your company and the courts as being just as at fault as the idiot. The best thing I believe you can do is stay calm in court and explain you took an evasive move to avoid an accident. You took the best move for the conditions.
     
    GasHauler, Jul 31, 2009
    GasHauler, Jul 31, 2009
    #6
  9. Jul 31, 2009 #7
    L.B.

    L.B. Third Generation Truck Driver

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    Just another instance where having a dash cam could have saved your bacon. Even if the cop wouldn't isten or watch the video, no doubt a judge would throw it out after seeing the dangerous driving of the truck in front of you. CYA drivers! Dash cams can be your best defense.
     
    L.B., Jul 31, 2009
    L.B., Jul 31, 2009
    #7
  10. Jul 31, 2009 #8
    The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

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    East Central FL
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    What companies have those? As for the situation, I would have done the exact same thing and would have been going slower. But I am student so my reply should be used last.

    Hunter
     
    The Challenger, Jul 31, 2009
    The Challenger, Jul 31, 2009
    #8
  11. Jul 31, 2009 #9
    L.B.

    L.B. Third Generation Truck Driver

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    Middle GA
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    Companies will use them against you. I'm tlking about a personal dash cam. stuntcams has one made just for this purpose.
     
    L.B., Jul 31, 2009
    L.B., Jul 31, 2009
    #9
  12. Jul 31, 2009 #10
    doubledragon5

    doubledragon5 Road Train Member

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    Lewisville TX
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    Mine does, and a lot of drivers have lost their jobs because of them...
     
    doubledragon5, Jul 31, 2009
    doubledragon5, Jul 31, 2009
    #10
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