brake tickets

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by TruckerWife20, Mar 15, 2013.

  1. TruckerWife20

    TruckerWife20 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 15, 2013
    Washington
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    So my husband just started for Watkins and shepard Tuesday night today it is Friday and he calls me saying he got a ticket for out of adjustment breaks is that his fault or the companies? I'm not trying to blame i just want to understand. Thanks
     
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  3. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    technically, it is on the driver. In theory, a driver is supposed to know how to detect on out-f-adjustment brake if he's really ambitious and doesn't mind getting dirty when he get's under another trailer. However, the driver is not supposed to have the knowledge necessary to make the correction and thus is expected to get the vehicle to a service facility ASAP and not knowingly operate a vehicle with such a defect.

    I assume the citation was on the trailer. Detecting out-of-adjustment brakes on the tractor by a driver who does not have access to a service bay is virtually impossible on the front drive axle. But again, push comes to shove, they will still hold the driver responsible if they don't feel like paying the ticket.
     
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  4. TruckerWife20

    TruckerWife20 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 15, 2013
    Washington
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  5. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    I might also add, that "brake defects" can be highly subjective according how many resources you have available to you when an actual "check" is performed. I would go so far as to say probably 70% of "brake defect" tickets would have not been issued if at another facility by another cop with another set of quota demands. That said, a really out-of-adjustment brake(s) coupled with heavy loads (and especially out west) is a potential catastrophe in the making in the hands of a driver with little knowledge or appreciation of long, steep grades.
     
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  6. Trucker Bug

    Trucker Bug Light Load Member

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    Jan 24, 2013
    California
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    They should have allowed him to adjust the brakes at the scalehouse. It is very easy to do. Tell him to ask someone to show him how to do it. It will come in handy down the road.
     
  7. UnnamedSickness

    UnnamedSickness Light Load Member

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    Feb 11, 2013
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    I am assuming only one brake was out of adjustment as well, or he would have been put out of service (20% rule). Only 1 brake out of the 10 can be out of adjustment, etc before an OOS order is issued.

    Also, it's not that the driver is not supposed to have the knowledge to adjust the brakes him/her self. It's that you have to be "certified" and deemed knowledgeable to do so. I once worked for a pneumatic tank company who trained us on inspection, and adjustment of brakes and issued a card to present to DOT if ever needed allowing us, as a driver, to adjust the brakes ourselves.
     
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  8. nitrogen

    nitrogen Medium Load Member

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    Calgary Alberta
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    if a fat old dot inspector is able to decide its out of adjustment, you as a driver should have enough room to get underneath to check it or adjust it. nowadays with automatic slack adjusters, it isn't a weekly thing like in the "olden" days. generally today if its out of adjustment it means some other component is worn out or broken. my understanding is that while you are not allowed to adjust it without "certification" you by having an air brake endorsement are qualified to judge whether they are adjusted and working correctly. now how they got to be adjusted correctly is anybodies guess, when that inspector crawls under your truck, he doesn't care how they came to be adjusted, just whether or not they are adjusted
     
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  9. Cattle Logger

    Cattle Logger Bobtail Member

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    Aug 15, 2017
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    Does anyone know what course to take to become DOT Brake adjuster certified?
     
  10. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Its a 20 minute video. Google is your friend. But id like to add there is absolutely no law that says you must be certified to adjust your brakes. The wording of the law is some generic term like 'qualified'.
     
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