Slowing down at scales

I think this spun out of control a little bit lol... let me clarify my earlier post a little bit. My big issue is with the trucks that drive way above the speed limit, pass me, and then slow way down when they see a trooper and usually I end up passing them right back. I see ALL types of traffic do this all the time and it's just a peeve of mine. But usually the trucks that do it are the dressed up owner op trucks, because they are usually the ones driving fast (because they can). If you don't do that, then I guess we're good!

A perfect example was yesterday on I-90 around the Belvidere Ill area... speed limit for trucks was 60. I had my cruise set at 64, a little fast but not enough to attract any attention. Four wheelers were all doing 80-85. A typical long hood Pete, all dressed up, came up behind me doing about 70. As he was passing me, we pass a trooper on the shoulder. He Of course panicked and slowed to about 60 (in the hammer lane!), and I rolled on at 64 shaking my head.

And you are right, not ALL dressed up trucks drive this way. I'm sorry if I gave that impression.

 

If you make enough money driving the truck there's no reason to speed. 70 mph or $60 ph. It's a no brainer.

 

I once asked a DOT cop about this. She told me unless a minimum speed was posted slowing down was not illegal. Then she went on to say most of the time the slow speeds makes no difference because the scales don't work anyway. Over the last 20 years the states have took more and more money away from DOT budgets. The scales don't work and they have cutback operating hours. Does anybody remember how long the Toomsuba Mississippi scales were out of commission? Mississippi did not have the money to build those new scales for several years. Even before the old scales were shut down the scales were for the most part broke.

 

Mississippi scales are still open...

 

Unrelated but why on earth does prepass give a red light into closed scales ie near nitro wv.
Also getting pulled into a scale just to bypass is the dumbest way to waste fuel.

 

The scale master was too much in a hurry to leave and get home to remember to turn off the prepass system. Your truck hit whatever threshold they set so you got tagged.
As for getting pulled in to bypass, what happened that you did not see, is they did a nuymber of checks on your truck.
They checked heat coming off brakes to see if they might be out of adjustment.
Their camera measured your kingpin length, trailer length cargo width, etc to make sure everything is in dimensions.
They checked each axles weight as you went over the wim scales.
Checked your ifta sticker
Checked your dot inspection sticker.

Some places check more, some less. Just because you don't see anything, doesn't mean it's not happening.
Here is a 34 minute video on a Florida scale. It's well worth the time investment to see what is going on in the office.

 

First of all let me just say I would LOVE an old Cadillac AND a captains hat!

But I am governed at 65 so unless someone is going extremely slow it's just more relaxing to hang back.
I am also on a dedicated route with a co driver. We are in a hurry, but not so much that a mph or 2 for a while is not going to hurt us.
When I drive there are usually only 2 stations that are open (maybe) one does not have prepass, and it's almost always backed up, and or some dummy goes in doing 15 when it's 25 mph.

 

Fair enough, partner. I run a LOT of Texas. Speed limit is 75 mph just about everywhere out here. I don't speed enough to ever need to get on the brakes if I see a bear, so I'm not that guy.