Troopers hide in semi trucks to go after dangerous drivers

Discussion in 'Truckers News' started by AXE, Jul 6, 2011.

  1. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Meadville, PA
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    To any LEO who's interested: As soon as I get assigned a truck, you're more than welcome to ride along. Hell, I'll even let you pick the radio station!
     
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  3. Digitalwarrior

    Digitalwarrior Light Load Member

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    May 7, 2011
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    I wish our cops in Ontario would adopt a program like this. A new law came into force recently banning the use of handheld devices while driving. It also covers other "distractive" behaviours as well. I still see people all over the roads texting, reading and talking away on handhelds. I have been cut off so many times it makes me crazy. I see blind and stupid lane changing all day long.

    I would welcome an OPP officer in my cab.....I would even spring for the donuts and coffee!! I would buy lunch too.

    It is getting worse by the day.

    One issue we see here in Ontario is minivans full of new drivers going to very small towns to do their road tests.....and then going back to the big cities to drive where they live. Passing a drive test in a town with two traffic lights and a population of 1800 is one thing. Driving ia a city of 4 million with multi lane freeways etc. is a whole 'nother ball game.

    I am certainly far from perfect but I would welcome scrutiny of my driving from any LEO.

    This is a very good thing!!!!!
     
  4. flood

    flood Road Train Member

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    it not new washington (wsp) has been doing this for about 10-12 years now. they do it for a week to 10 days every year.... they will set up with 1 officer in the truck and 4-7 officers sitting on onramps covering 3-5 miles..

    i used to live south of seattle and they would have it on the news when they did it.

    a few other states have tried it and it does work

    8 years ago news 5 did a ride along (with camara crew) with a friend for 1 hr in nashville, and they could not beleave had bad people drive... he told then welcom to my world...
     
  5. Lantern

    Lantern Road Train Member

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    I'm not a driver yet.

    But even I respect every driver on the road. I leave plenty of room at all times and I only change lanes if I know it's clear with enough distance between vehicles. Trucks, well you will always have plenty of room to get over and then some. I'm not about to endanger other people/or myself by making stupid decisions.

    I've heard pretty bad stories. Like my neighbor the other day was on the interstate in the rain, a car rides past her and sprays her windshield with water blocking her view.. Know what she does? Slams the brakes on her 4 wheel van. A truck behind her slams into the back of her.. Of course, that is how she described it. I broke it down for her. I told her it was dumb to slam on the brakes, a split 2 seconds and the wipers would have cleared the water off the windshield. Unless she was riding some ones ###, there was no need to slam on the brakes as you should know the distance to the next car ahead of you. Also, you should know what / who is behind you and if they person can / will stop in time to avoid hitting you just in case. The damage the truck caused was a small pushed in dent on the rear door. Barely any damage.

    Small van, vs loaded truck in the rain. Which will stop quicker? (Btw, rain was a all day thing, roads were slick)

    Luckily everyone was ok as it could of been worse. Just sucks that it's the truck drivers fault for the stupid decision of my neighbor.. Of course, she believe 100% that she did everything right and the truck was following to close (which is the ticket he got from what she said). I doubt he was that close for the small amount of damage done.
     
    Four wheels Thanks this.
  6. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Meadville, PA
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    Unfortunately, since there was contact between the vehicles no matter how slight, the truck driver was following too closely...Once you get out here, you'll learn how much distance you need between your truck and the vehicle in front of you. Always make sure you have enough distance to notice the problem, react to the problem, get air to your brakes, and stop the vehicle in a straight line (no jackknifing) before you strike another vehicle. Yes, it's a considerable distance. I don't go by a hard and fast set distance rule. I've been running long enough to have a good feel for how my truck handles in different weather and traffic conditions, and know how much distance I need to stop the truck based on tire condition, road condition, and weight. And I leave plenty of extra, too.

    Another thing is to get over the need to run balls to the wall all the time. Riding the governor on the open interstate during a sunny day is one thing. Rain, snow, ice, and traffic are another. There is no law on the books that says you must maintain the maximum speed limit all the time. Stay to the right, and back out of it a bit. Heck, in major cities, the safest thing I do is stick to the speed limit, and stay to the right. Chicago is an excellent example. Speed limit on the interstates through Chicago are 55mph. Everybody and their kid brother shoots through there doing 65-70, including truckers. I roll at 55, get through there just about as quick, and am no where near as tired at the end. Plus, I've saved my brakes from all the hard braking I'd otherwise have to do to avoid hitting some other idiot...
     
    NDBADLANDS and Lantern Thank this.
  7. possumgravy

    possumgravy Bobtail Member

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    Mar 22, 2011
    Lawrenceville, Ga
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  8. noodler

    noodler Bobtail Member

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    love this idea!!!!!!
     
  9. corneileous

    corneileous Road Train Member

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    Podunk, OK
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    Which one, they all were about as hair-brained as I've ever seen. I liked the one about how trucks should only be allowed in the right lane and that since trucks have so many blindspots they should be deemed unsafe...... There was a bunch more but I and got all night to repeat all of them.
     
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