Ohio "Brake Checks"...be ready!

Earlier this week, heading east on US30, I hit the first scale there at VanWert. I noticed that not only were they open, but quite "busy".

I start rolling across, and they call me to the back into a space that just vacated. Nice officer comes up and explains they're checking brakes. Crawler, ruler and all, both tractor and trailer.

Asked for all my paperwork, bills, permits, and the like. But never looked at my logs...we're on E-logs, so perhaps that's why. But at the end (I was clean), I got a copy of the report: A Class IV "Special Study" inspection.

He did also look under the hood, played with the steering, checked my wipers, horns, and lights.

But anyway...if you're headed through or to Ohio, be ready. Ironically, three times this week I picked up loaded trailers at our own facilities that had potential OOS issues...one with tires, the other two with brakes, including a leaking pancake. This is why I always do a good pre-trip...it's just another way of protecting what few dollars I have left.

But I'll also be honest in saying that with the quality of rookie drivers generally deteriorating in my opinion, I can't blame states for stepping up the checks. Yeah, I know it's a revenue generating device....but more and more of these "professionals" just start and go without even a cursory look at their equipment.

Let me also offer a thumbs-up to the inspector. Very thorough, but courteous and even friendly. Not a hassle at all, though the entire process did take 57 minutes.

 

I would disagree, but only to the extent that it has become painfully obvious to me that more and more "professionals" do not signal, do not read signs ("Trucks Use Left Lane", for example), and do not execute their jobs as they should (or at least try to). If they fail to do these simple things, why the hell should we, or law enforcement, believe that they've done a simple PTI to discover a broken or missing brake shoe, air leak, or other potentially dangerous problem? And are they not to blame for driving faulty equipment? The lack of a budget for equipment upkeep is a secondary issue, IMHO. I don't want to see broken-down garbage rolling down the highway next to me. It's all I can do to trust the driver in the next lane even if he has perfect equipment.

I agree....there is a great deal of enforcement of laws that is being done in the name of revenue. No argument there. But the more I see of these types of drivers, the less I can blame states for cranking up enforcement. And the more thankful I am.

Again...we are our own worst enemy.