Magnum ltd - fargo, nd

Some of you may have heard about this. Hazmat truck fire on I65.
http://abc7chicago.com/traffic/truck-fire-hazmat-closes-sb-i-65-at-sr-10/1465497/

I'm heading to Maxton and stayed at the Hebron, IN flying J last night. Got on the highway this morning oblivious this had happened and came up on the backup within a mile or two. It took just under 2 hours to go from approximately mm 238 to exit 230 where traffic was forced to detour. The brightside, if you want to call it that, about 1/8 mile before I got to the 230 they opened the road back up.

 

Just saw this when I got up is NJ trying to be like CA


A new law being proposed in New Jersey aims to crack down on distracted driving by issuing fines of up to $800 to drivers who take a sip of coffee while driving.

It’s not just coffee that finds itself in New Jersey’s crosshairs, the legislation would prohibit “any activity unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle on a public road or highway.” That includes grooming, eating, and yes, drinking coffee

 

I have run aberdeen 4 times in row from our outbound area. It would be great if it was scheduled as as a 2 day run but you get 3 days to do it. It's 1150 miles way to much time. miraculously it's all they have or a Chicago over the weekend. One time I was suppose to get a service but someone forgot to dispatch so I had to cover it

 

Don't forget adjusting the radio or changing gps locations...

 

Or eating Tbone and eggs!

 

You do that while driving , now that shows some skillzzz.

 

Better not have anyone else in the vehicle because they might talk to you

 

Every day you hear truck drivers complain about the 4 wheelers and how dangerous and distracted they are driving. Texting, eating, reading, watching videos ect. You hear drivers say why do the focus on us? Why not the cars??
So 3 NJ lawmakers decieded to put forth a bill that would give officers some teeth to combat this. $400 first offense and up to $800 for 3rd offense. What happens? Drivers call it a money grab. Get all upset about it.
Fatalities are up 8%... After decades of dropping numbers. Distracted driving is the cause in about 10% of fatalities....
The police in NJ already said they have better things to do than stop you for sipping your coffee. Typical news media hype. But at least they COULD pull over and ticket someone for putting in their hair curlers while driving or reading the newspaper.
The proposed law doesn't say anything about coffee. It is a proposed measure would ban "any activity unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle on a public road or highway."
So if your sipping your coffee and not swerving all over the road your good.
But if you have your coffee in one hand, a Big Mac in the other, steering with your knee and not holding your lane?? Good, get a ticket...
Remember, NJ is the most crowded State in the Union. More people per sq mile than any other State. We all have driven there. They are all in a BIG hurry. The roads are over crowded and it's like a NASCAR race!! Lol

 

I agree. The lawmaker proposing it said it was to the discretion of the officer on whether or not it was distracted driving. But as we all know it will be abused by municipalities that need money and used for that purpose.
Just like red light cameras where they reduced yellow light times to increase revenue

 

A counter voice, most jurisdictions have statutes that allow drivers to be pulled over for unsafe lane changes or dangerous driving, this bill allows the originator to brag about being tough on distracted drivers in their next campaign.

The openness of the statute means that an officer can pull you over for darn near anything...personally I'd rather see extra overtime money provided and the officers do what was done in Madison WI.

Officers would drive in rental cars and observe traffic calling into marked units to pull over speeders and reckless drivers. That way you get the offenders and really keep people on their toes...

Now, @ncmickey get back to the Olympics and enjoy your hometime!