Indiana troopers to ride in semi to watch for violators

Very good!

 

Oregon Troopers did this here a few months back and if I remember right the netted A LOT of people for being morons... to top it off they even netted a few drug busts at the same time !!! One of the things they also did here in Oregon was set up a camera on the back of the trailer to see if anyone was following to closely as well. When Oregon did it though they weren't just concentrating on the 4-wheelers they were also getting trucks that were tailgating, speeding or not leaving an acceptable amount of room before getting back into the lane when passing..

 

You know we can't be everywhere at everytime. And if I'm in a marked cruiser, most people try to drive like they have some sense, but they are a few hardheads for sure. I like this idea for a number of reasons. Just like when we use covert cars for enforcement or SUV's, people don't expect it and their true driving style shows. The one that causes motor vehicle collisions. I would love to partake in an endeavor like this and watch the show that you guys and gals in a big truck get everyday by the average 4 wheeler.

 

If I was an O/O I would be first in line to sign up to lease a truck to help out in an endevour like that !!! They kind of pay attention to unmarked vehicles that are similar to the marked ones but to be totally covert in a truck would definatly make a world of a difference !!!

 

DieselBear,

What would be the inherent drawbacks to implementing a similar program like this where the troopers would/could hitch rides with drivers between scalehouses...being totally voluntary on the drivers part, of course.

I know I, for one, would not be averse to participating in such a program. (With the companies permission, as I'm not an O/O.)

Has anything along those lines ever been looked at before?


Thanks!

 

Scale houses that are hundreds of miles apart... The operation mentioned above is going to be nothing but a truck & trailer (no load) that is going to run up the highway say maybe 10,15, 20 miles. Then hit a exit & do the same thing in the opposite direction.

I believe Birmingham did someone similar last year.

 

First would be the cost. You would need a lot of personnel assigned to an endeavor like this. For instance, where I work, it would have to be decided if the truck enforcement guys and gals would be the only used. Had one troop in the truck and you would have to have others sitting at nearly every exit available to jump on and catch the violator, keeping the violator in sight could present a challenge as well if high speeds were involved. or would you use the road troops in the area. Which could present a whole different chllenge with manpower issues, court issues and calls for service and possible overtime issues. Again, monetary issues. I don't see how you could use company trucks and drivers. In my opinion, there is enough government trucks, State and local that could be used. Companies and industry would probably not like the possiblility of holding a driver up on his route to pick a Trooper and let one off and all the logistics that go into that. That would be a can of worms in my opinion. The government trucks wouldn't have a load on, a driver being paid by a private carrier etc. I can only imagine the nightmare of trying to logistically put something like this together. I know when we put huge initiatives together that bring Troops from all over the State to one area, it is planned months in advance with a ton of work by a few supervisors to ensure everything is accounted for, planned for and alternate plans in case plan A or B don't work.

 

State police say cars are the primary causes of crashes in 56 percent of accidents involving big trucks and cars.

You don't say........

 

Yes 4 wheelers cause their fair share. But after investigating hundreds of collisions, the last nine years in a truck enforcement unit and responding to strictly commercial vehicle crashes, I have seen a fair amount where CMV's were at fault. Some driver error, to include following too closely, hours of service violations, drivers failing asleep etc. But I have seen a fair share where vehicle defects have contributed to the wreck. Brake issues being the biggest factor. Just had one where the truck and trailer combination had quite a few inoperative brakes, cammed over brakes, broken spiders, and shoe issues. Truck just couldn't stop when cars slowed in front of him and disater was the result. I have numerous wrecks where 2, 3, 4 or 5 trucks have all run together. No four wheelers involved. The vast majority of the truck drivers are truly professional and have everything up to par, but the is a minority that give all of the industry a black eye and that's what the general population see and hear about. The general public who doesn't know anything about trucks or the industry have no clue except that they hear, read or see on the news that a truck was involved and they automatically assume the truck must have done it.