How many can read a map?

Well, what ticket? If it was an overweight, the old guy meant, if you had a paper map, you could find a way around the scale. Maps on phones don't give the bigger picture.
Paper maps, interesting subject. I've found, that stamps a date on your forehead, paper map. On a visit to L.A. a few years ago, I simply couldn't get my bearings, that place is so big, so the THIRD gas station I went to, had some maps( with dust on them) then I was able to see where I was. I don't mean to ruffle any feathers, ( but probably will) I've also found, for what ever reason, women I've known, just can't grasp the concept of a map. My daughter, on a trip, relied solely on her phone deal, UNTIL THE TIME RAN OUT!!! You should have seen the panic. My elderly neighbor, same thing, holds a map upside down, and she can't figure out where she is. I'm just the opposite, these GPS routing infuriates me, once, I knew a shortcut, this friends phone is freaking out, I said, "would you turn that GD thing off"? I have no use for a Truckers edition atlas, but I have the regular one, and wouldn't leave home without it.

 

A good old fashion truckers atlas is still a must unless you are delivering construction materials to a new area that may not be on the map. Trucking routes are posted better on a map than most of the high dollar GPS gizmos. I too use a Garmin but it will get me in trouble at times too.

 

Get the large print, laminated truckers road atlas.
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I use a road atlas and still have my Thomas guides at home for SO Cali.
Not many drivers problems remember them.
Driver may have been talking about bridge laws, weight restricted routes, or a whole host of other topics in a motor carrier atlas. Throw the ####ing GPS out the window except for ETA or general routing.
Don’t have one don’t need one. I still use my atlas and call a customer and get final mile directions. Never been routed down a dirt path or across a cemetery, or some such nonsense as those GPs horror stories. But then again some people have less sense then a ####ing farm animal

 

My guess the ticket was for being on a "restricted road" right.....?

In the front pages of the atlas list the TRUCK restricted roads...

 

Yeah, I remember the thomas guide. Used it up untill around 2006!

 

I know enough to double check my GPS with my Rand McNally Atlas to make sure I’m on an STAA route in states I’m not familiar with. Also for restrictions and low bridges. That’s worked out well enough so far.

 

I agree, most of the guys who still swear by a paper map don't OTR spot market and they still have a flip phone.
Modern trucking is all about the tools. No way I'd want to be a part of this game pre smartphone, pre-inverter, pre laptop, pre Facetime, pre 12v refrigerator. It would be hell.

Use all the tools at your convenience! You simply won't beat Google Maps for traffic and basic bird's eye view, you won't beat it for satellite images and street view either. This stuff keeps you safe.

I run both a paid truck GPS and Google maps at all times. I still consult paper when I'm looking for a legal route off in the sticks.