D.O.T. vs "local police"

I don't know exactly what to start with:

DOT can do inspections inside your Kitchen at home if they so choose. Does not matter where they set up, because it is now a DOT ground for enforcement weights etc.

You apparently got hit for doing drugs or being affected by such. Frankly I have no tolerance for anyone doing that stuff in a 40 ton vehicle. None. Im a pain patient myself and gave my CDL that was grandfathered back to the state for that reason a few years ago to make sure if there is a problem it will not be dragged into the fray. You cannot have nothing inside your system that alters, slows down or messes with your decision making in a 18 wheeler. It will get you or one or several someones killed. And for what? You killed by taking the stuff just as I would if I dropped a bad guy with my colt. It's bad.

You have to suck it up and pay the #### fines, penalties and so forth if you want that CDL back. Sitting here talking about it is sort of like trying to listen to a child being punished as how unfair daddy is taking this toy or video game away. It's punishment. Work through it and pay up. The faster you do this the easier you will get back out there having learned your lesson. Right? There might not be a next time.

In my day people are totally lose the ability to drive a 18 wheeler for life if they were caught with drugs or alcohol. Today the system is soft. Take advantage of it. But do make changes in your own life not to continue to abuse the drink or drugs. It will bite you again and again. If your area is a bad area for it, MOVE. There are thousands of small towns of under 500 people around the USA where nothing like that happens. Get clean.

Ive worked around DOT many times and i also have been inspected by them where necessary. No real problems other than the occaisonal OOS and tickets to match. No biggie. Then. Today any kind of violation risks your job when the company finds out about it. They will dispose of you like you toss a bad apple. Fast.

Good luck if you get back into it. I don't have anything else to say except get and stay clean. That way if something comes up and you need to do something with that 18 wheeler your mind and body will be ready for battle.

 

Yes, probably a sucker fine, BUT, did you stop "behind" the stop sign then proceed forward enough to check if the way was clear???
If you went passed the stop sign before stopping, then technically you ran the stop sign.
Just the facts. If the officer had his dash cam on and pointed your way, he has irrefutable evidence and you would loose your case. If no, then you have a chance in court, but your lawyer would have to go at the case in a manner to prove the stop sign is incorrectly installed. But even at this, you should have stopped behind the stop sign no matter the placement.
If pleading "no contest" is assured to not go on your MVR and no points will be levied, i would pay the fine and call it a lesson learned.

 

If I stopped at the sign and moved, I would commit to the turn no matter what happens. It wont be the first time people complained that I ran em off the road when they had a clean half a mile to stop prior to reaching where I was turning. LOL.

There is one police dept that we truckers dont worry about in Joppa Maryland, They hide behind one particular pole as they have done since the 60's we call it the 50 dollar pole is what you would get when caught speeding there. I swear if they took the pole away and buried the power underground the police would be lost not knowing where to be at. /sarc.

 

Maby not everywhere, but when I took drivers ed in Texas the law was stop at the sign then pull up to see around the corner.
Is that not the law everywhere? I've always driven like that be it a moped (could drive at 15 in TX at the time) all the way up to my semi.

 

In most states they require you to stop at the STOP sign, or behind the limit line/crosswalk if one is visible. Most of the stop sign laws were created when they built businesses with walls right next to the sidewalk, think Main Street in small town America today. The reason for the stopping behind the STOP sign was not all towns had paved streets, so the STOP sign was the imaginary limit line, and why they teach you to picture an imaginary sidewalk when there are no marked crosswalks, and why most laws written have you stop behind the sign.

 

I agree with everyone here about the no dependency to alcohol/drugs in this profession: but also I do not know what happened that day either. But if you were truly innocent or have had a wake up call and or change or heart then read below:


I too was a CDL holder in Georgia @ one time and this will be hard to beat. I know because I had to do it once. GA DMV Atlanta offices and state wide do not care and will leave a licsense suspended with no shame reguardless of the proof you bring.------------ My break through was when I got the state CDL help desk of the other state to contact the higher up supervisor, direct phone line & number.

GA had me on suspension status for a citation I was in court disputing and ended up not being convicted for. Even after the citation was lifted GA would not budge. Man, I hate to hear this because I went through this same stuff and was down about 3 months or so. I kept calling the other state where the citation was made against me, and finally came across a very helpful and good hearted person who was passionate about the matter as me. She was the one who got me the direct line to a higher up in GA, and she prepped the story for me and helped me provide evidence. And GA eventually lifted the suspension after much persistence
That was a great woman

Man I hope you get this because that was madness I went through and feel your pain, but read through my post and look for AZ CDL help desk to pull strings for you back in Georgia. Because dealing with the entry leveled workers @ the call center will potentially leave you in the red man

 

He said it was on video, isn't entrapment against the law? What cop sits and watches a dang stop sign at a 4 way stop at an intersection? $195.00 This one is gonna be hard to swallow, I have till February 2nd, maybe I can win the $195 at a casino, man I hate Texas.

 

Also going to court would ruin their Scam being we're under the States Jurisdiction not local police, so the fine would go to the State not grand prairie. Question is it worth the time and money being I'm from Illinois, I'd have to travel to Texas twice , once for a court date then again for the trial date, plus attorney cost, gas and hotel, I guess it's worth it all if I can beat the ticket and shine a light on their money making scam.