Careless driving citation

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Buck83, Mar 19, 2014.

  1. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    Some good lessons learned here---not good but could have been much worse--dont feel the need to rehash what you have probably already figured out--I would fight the ticket--not so much because it was undeserved--but because a careless ticket is a serious offense and can adversely affect many things....at the very least--try and get it reduced...
    As for your companies policy of NOT contacting the customers--and to continue the other posters non-post--I have no problem saying--It is quite possibly one of the dumbest ####### policies I have ever heard of! and the nimrod safety clown(or whoever)who came up with it--really needs ot get up ever morning look in the mirror and say"would you like fires w/that?" so they are ready for the job that may actually be qualified for!
     
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  3. Joetro

    Joetro Road Train Member

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    Well, you have to make time to plot things out or you will end up in another situation. Again, the GPS, when used without anything else WILL get you in trouble.


    When I used the word "foolish", I wasn't referring to the situation, I was referring to blaming the GPS. We've all been there. I know I have. Even recently, in fact, though nothing was damaged and I got out of it, but I had to work at it to do it.


    Edit to add: To clarify further, blaming the GPS as a defense in court would be foolish.

    There. I think I explained myself... maybe.
     
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  4. Mev

    Mev Road Train Member

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    Get a lawyer , get the ticket reduced .

    ( probably going to be over $700.00 once it's done)

    Get a decent gps , and even then , be willing to doubt it .

    If a gps is pointing you to a subdivision , think again .

    Your in a massive truck , heading into a tight space .

    That should not feel right
     
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  5. Buck83

    Buck83 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 19, 2014
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    Thanks for the positive feedback, now I'm more worried tho like I used my only 'get out of jail free' card for my career

    Interesting.. I bet I could of offered the owner of the car some money for the damages, settled out of court. I think he was worried I was going to take off tho, called the police immediately once he saw what happened.
     
  6. Buck83

    Buck83 Bobtail Member

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    I've picked up and delivered in many weird places that didn't seem right lol

    You mean costs with a lawyer? Or just for the careless driving fine in general?

    Has anyone else had issues driving around I-95 New Jersey and their GPS fails? I've had this happen many times even with my phone navigation as well. But when I talk to other people about it they say it doesn't happen to them??
     
  7. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Yes my GPS goes out sometimes....nothing to do with NJ. I wonder....does your employer put it in writing that you "are to follow their navigation above all else?" I doubt it. That is just plain stupid and it will not hold up in court. Neither will "I didn't have time to write it down Judge." You will get into trouble again. Write down your route or else.

    When all else fails, call the traffic dept at the local police dept. They will give you a route out of there or send a car to escort you out. I've done that couple of times. There is a good chance you are not the first truck to be on that road. They will probably thank you.
     
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  8. Dinomite

    Dinomite Road Train Member

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    I constantly tell rookies to stop signing up for these east coast regional gigs. It's not bad to go up there every once in awhile, but when you are doing it on a daily basis. Things like this happen and your career is over before it even gets started. Working for a slime ball company like Western Express is only going to get you in more trouble and sadly if you get fired from them you are pretty much out of luck. The accident will always follow you, but the careless driving citation doesn't have to. I'm just wondering why he didn't give you a backing ticket? Or did he give you that ticket because you were on a street that was in a residential area?

    If you can log on to the truckers report. There is no reason why you can't go to google maps to plot out your trip. The people who are going to hire you don't care about your story. All they see is Accident, ticket, and rookie and throw your app in trash. Cover your Tail nobody else will.
     
  9. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    You're lucky Western is giving u a second chance.Better not quit.Why do you depend on your GPS to get you places especially out in the East coast.From now on use a phone and call for directions and look at your atlas for a main route then write it down and double check everything.Reckless is the worst besides abandonment to have on your record so I would get busy and find a lawyer to get this reduced.
     
  10. Buck83

    Buck83 Bobtail Member

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    Yeah I wish I had done that now, didn't know I could until I was talking to some other truckers and they said the same thing
     
  11. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Careless driving is a serious event that will prevent you from getting hired anywhere else for 3 years.

    Fight it with a local traffic attorney. They'll get it reduced if not dismissed. Talk to your safety Dept and they might help you with the lawyer thing.

    If you don't get it reduced then stay with that company.

    GPS's even Qualcomm are created by humans who make mistakes too. It's nothing but a tool. Learn your bread and butter of map reading and get in the habit of calling the customer. I can't stress enough how important proper trip planning is. You ride on a whim you saw what happens.

    After you graduate and master map reading 101 then you can progress to a GPS. A GPS is wrong about 10% of the time. But if you already know your route from other means you then double check and correct the GPS. Yes you can do that by waypoints.

    If you get in a pickle again don't wait until you hit something. Pop them brakes and call the police. They'll help you out of the mess instead of fining you.

    With proper trip planning you can avoid them moments. You always have Google Earth.
     
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