Stop to help

Very well said mickey melon! I share your actions & views on this subject.
I place doing "RIGHT", over any company policy. It may cost me my job, but if it comes to that, then who needs them IMO. No driver should have to worry about "repercussions" from a simple stop to aid a fellow trucker or motorist.

I don't stop for every single truck on the side, grant you (agreeing a lot with what Triple Six said, post #6), but I do call out to each on the CB and evaluate all scenarios. I've had several incidents that I felt required me to do what's right, one even taking me over 30 miles past my exit, to help insure the safety of others (DUI in a T/T).
The day my ethics takes a back seat to "company policy" is the day I no longer feel like I earn the title "man" or "human being".

 

I'd like to add what KW cajun stated........Its wise to evaluate each situation also..

I would say ,Most of my stops were to help motorists(cars) with Flats..I would say 75% of the time was a Flat or Fan Belt come off pulley or Jump Start

Many stops Ive made for Truckers were MOSTLY Coolant Related or Alternator Related. (Broken Coolant/Heater hoses) (Alternators with broken wire or belts come off)


As for tires .....Back in our day,We never just SAT on the side of the road..Unless it was a steer.



But most importantly.......Even if there were times when their was NOTHING I could possibly do to help, just me being there Lifts the Spirit of that Motorist until help can arrive, Trust me it puts a smile on someone's face knowing you took the time to stop,

 

I'll ask ont he cb if they are ok and if they need assistance. If a driver doesn't have a cell or workign CB he will probably be trying to flag people down. Dont forget stopping a semi form 65 mph isnt instant. You may nto have time to pull over safely in the time from when you see him to getting stopped. Every time you stop, you are a traffic hazard and risk gettin hit trying to get back out. So my recommendation dont stop unless someone just got in an accident and might need emergency help or if they actively try to get you to stop. Dont stop for every flat tire you see.

Now, assuming you do stop, if you are needed and you help the person, i cant imagine a company firing you for that. If you just stop and someone doesn't need help, you might get fired because you took an unnecessary risk with their truck.

 

I spent an hour turning wrenches on my truck Friday night saving my company a breakdown,I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty.I don't have a CB in the truck because it would be the most valuable thing about this truck. I helped someone slide their tandems the other night because I had already stopped to fuel and was asked for help..I'm not ALLOWED to pull over and help someone on the side of the road. I help drivers when I can get away with it and I've been helped when I needed it.Some of us just do what we can.

 

Hmmm...the parts guys gave me extra: headlight bulbs, turn signal bulbs, windshield wipers, fluids (oil, antifreeze, windshield washer, brake) but I forgot to ask for extra fuses.
Can also buy a cheapie tool kit at the parts counter, but I already had enuf tools so I just brought my own, a few screwdrivers, hammer, vice grips, pliers, WD40, etc...
also brought a few rags and paper towels and extra flashlight.

None of which helped when I had a rad hose split.
Oh well.
Take care and stay warm.
Mary

 

yeah I can't tell ya how many times that extra brake fluid has saved my butt. It's a totally necessary item to carry.

 

As for extra fuses,, most trucks have extra slots/placeholders in the fuse box or panel that contains extra fuses of each amp rating.
You should always check there first to see if, and how many there are, for each amp rating needed.

 

And muffler bearings, don't forget them. Everyone should carry an extra set of muffler bearings.

 

What about an extra Henweigh ?

 

Did your company thank you?.Helping a stranded motorist yes.But saving money for a company I drive for,im not real keen on that.