GPS gets Driver Locked Up !!!

I live in western Pa. and all i can say is that the whole state has a problem with not posting wt. limit signs on the highway your on. Usually it's posted about 100 or 200 ft. after you make the turn. By then it's too late to do anything about it. Sometimes you have to go many miles to find a place to even turn around.

 

Yours is not the only state that does that! Now I'm not much in favor of lawyers and law suits, but maybe it is time that some class action lawsuits were brought against some of these states.

 

Came out of a truck stop a couple days ago. Sign showed construction detour on the road in front of the TS. Followed sign about 1/2 mile and suddenly there was a NO TRUCKS sign.
What?
Saw an empty lot and was able to turn around. Saw plenty of truck tracks there.
But who thinks these things up?!

 

After reading this thread I have to say one thing. Now keep in mind that I am not an experienced CD nor do I claim to be, but I have been told not only by my CDL school as well as many many companies. GPS and Qual Com systems (which by the way will be in all major trucking companies by 2012) are a great tool. But you should never ever rely upon them 100%. Always plan your trip against the information in an Atlas and double check the route. Low bridges and weight restrictions change all the time. You also have to remember one huge thing. ALL of the information that you are receiving on these GPS and Qual Com units was input by a HUMAN and as we all know humans make mistakes. Always double check and plot your course before heading out.

 

Of course that is true and most drivers know that. Those thoughts are overplayed by people that don't know how to use a GPS properly.

What they are speaking of are restricted routes and bridges not posted anywhere, not even the Rand McNally. I can show you routes on the Rand McNally that are posted truck routes that have restrictions on them that are not recognized. There are plenty out there. It goes both ways.

If they are going to fine drivers for these things, they need to give proper warning. Like some said, signs are put around corners behind bushes and far into the route where it's too late. The thought process into giving proper warning is made by the same person that can't give directions to their own house.

There's one in downtown Shelbyville, TN that comes to mind. You come to the redlight from the Tyson plant. There are 5 highway signs with arrows showing each route. Then there is a trucks forbidden sign on a 6th highway sign not designated with any arrow or anything. You know it runs with the one of the other 5, but which one?? Designed to confuse. Are you suppose to pop your brakes at the red light and pull your map and and try to figure which two highways are running together? Just poor signage put up by some $8 an hour employee that doesn't have a clue himself. Yet the cops know which one it is.

 

And where did the information in the truckers atlas come from? Was that not also input by a HUMAN? Double checking is good. But even the maps are wrong from time to time. So ultimately, its up to the driver to not follow ANY form of guidance blindly.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Consumer grade GPS units didn't exist before the mid 1990's. But trucker have been hitting low bridges and breaking weight restricted bridges for as long as said bridges and trucks have existed. It ain't the GPS that's at fault, its the loose nut behind the wheel. I think I just found a new sig line.

 

EXACTLY!

And you know what, it ain't going to change either!

 

I never said that it was 100% accurate. I just meant that it was a hell of a lot more accurate then something that is updated electronically. I completely agree that you have to watch your signs and such. New bridges and roads are being built, changed and removed all the time. Common sense is the key to safety and ease of the trip.

 

And you base this belief on what exactly?

 

you cant use a gps designed for a car and take a truck down that route