Here’s what CVSA will be checking for June 2-4

Big,

Not any of those. Government vehicles are not commercial, so there is no way they can fall in these guidelines. I know this isn't the answer you want to hear but that is the way it is. In my State, the government vehicles have to comply with the federal regulations in regards to safety, hours of service, etc. Now I know of a retired Sgt. that worked many years for us, who would routinely pull over the State Roads trucks and issue citations for load covers on dumps. Due to the fact that the local dump driver's used to complain all the time that the State roads trucks were violating State law. He did not do an inspection on paper per se, but would issue tickets to them. Since he did this, have not had many problems with the State roads trucks. I know you won't like this anwser, but it is what it is.

 

Well i was just trying to make a point anyway. It is always preached about this is all about safety yet it seems that it is really just a money racket. I understand that government vehicles are not commercial and they fall under different guidelines but iif it's all about safety shouldn't they be "randomly inspected" or checked from time to time also. Are DOT officers and State troopers not government employees? Are they not capable of enforcing federal laws as well as state laws? So would they not have the authority to stop these vehicles as well to enforce the Federal guidelines on these vehicles. I know that this would never happen because it's the "good ole boy system" when it comes to law enforcement and government employees. Let me say this i respect you guys for the most part. It just pisses me off that it's all about money and not safety like it is supposed to be and that if it comes down to pulling over a truck or a car for the same infraction it's going to be the truck that gets it 99% of the time. I know that there are some of you that will pull a car over just as quickly as a truck and it sounds like you are one of those officers and i respect that. what i don't respect is the officers that simply have a hard-on for truckers because they see us as easy targets. DOT stands for department of transportation, not Department of ##### Truckers. Transportation includes anyone on the road and should be treated that way. I know CMV enforcement is strictly for cmv's but they are usually easier to get along with and more fair than the State Troopers. just my observations. I mean do disrespect to you or any other trooper but i call it like i see it.

 

I take it you live in Indiana, and I know they are hard as hell on trucks. I'm sure you drive thru Ohio and everyone knows they are hard as hell on everyone. We do go in an inspect the State roads trucks and do it unannounced to check that they are doing what they are suppose to do. That is at the request of the powers to be at the State Roads. I wish that many on this forum could see what I see on a daily basis. The junk that is on the roads. The B.S. that some driver's do will blow your mind. Now that being said I still see good equipment and decent drivers who are truly professional. I can tell you, for me it is safety. Had a truck the other day involved in a 4 vehicle accident. Truck burned up completely. The trailer was burned on the front but the wheels and brakes were unharmed. Long story short, truck approached a red light, and can not stop. Driver swerves to the left and the trailer jackknifes taking out everything in it's path. One vehicle it hits erupts in flames and the driver was unconscious in the vehicle that was fully engulfed. The truck goes of the roadway and flips over and catches fire as well. Passerby's pull the car driver out of the flames, saving his life in my opinion. Car driver has 2nd degree burns from the waist to his head, broken limbs, ribs, collapse lungs and permanent facial dismemberant. The trailer only had one good brake, Two of the brakes were inoperative and another brake was out of adjustment. The truck, well, we couldn't check due to damage. Got a call this week looking for the Ma and Pa company's telephone number. seems the Ma and Pa, did not have insurance and the company that the driver said was the insurance company, cancelled the policy over 6 months ago. I wish part of the inspection process had to deal with verifying insurance information. Had a fatal wreck in October, where the carrier had there policy cancelled for non payment. Seems with the economic bad times this may be something that occurs more frequently.

 

Yes i live in indiana and yes everything you mentioned is correct. I know for alot of you it is about safety and i respect the job you do out risking your life every time you approach a vehicle unbeknown st as to what it may hold. I would not want your job. Anyway I'll quit ragging you and just want you to know that I and the other members here do appreciate your input and participation on this forum as well as the other LEO that participate as well. Not many of your fellow officers would take the time or care for that matter. I commend you all. I do have another topic of discussion for you that i will post in a different thread later today. Thanks.

 

Thank you dieselbear for the feedback and insight you give so we can hear your side of the story.I haven't been driving long but it's educating to here that you are there for safety and the things you come across everyday.I have enjoyed reading about your encounters.I once thought that cops targeted trucks for the fun of it(I think in my county they do).I live on a state road and see trucks pulled over all the time.The house next door is vacant and overgrown with trees and bushes and they(the county sheriff,not DOT)setup in the driveway which has a decline from the road and you don't see the driveway til you are right in front of it,they sit there waiting for trucks and only pull trucks over while 4wheelers zip by.The school bus stops at the house on the other side of me and still 4wheelers go by the bus and don't get stopped.I think what the county sheriff's office does is entrapment,only targeting trucks.What about the school bus?Do you feel that what the sheriff's office does is fair or entrapment?I'd like others' opinion on this subject as well.I have filed complaints about this to the sheriff's dept.,what if there was a 4wheeler that didn't pay attention going around the school bus and hit someone coming the other way,or hit one of the kids.

 

Well it is law that you stop for a stopped school bus unless you are on a highway divided by some barrier ie.. a grass median. If this is truly happening in front of an officer of the law and he does nothing about it then he is endangering lives of a lot of people. I would report it to another authority if it in fact happens the way you said. I am curious to hear response from dieselbear and other LEO as well.

 

Ther is no divider i.e. grass or concrete,just a 2 lane road(one each way).There are the shoulders but as you said it is law to stop for school buses and the driver does put out the swing arm signs and the red flashers,but nothing is being done to stop the 4wheelers from passing the bus.

 

Well then that is a dangerous situation no doubt and anyone that would pass a stopped school bus is a real danger to everyone especially the kids getting on and off the bus. i would report this to an authority such as the sheriff himself or another law enforcement agency if the sheriff's deputy is the one allowing this to happen. I have small kids and if these were my kids or any for that matter i would be outraged that an officer was allowing them to be put in harms way like this. There is no reason for something like this to not be punished.

 

I don't have any other choice,someone is gonna get killed!

 

Sad but true...Have had it happen