Am I being nit picky

The OP doesn't mention where this happened. Unless a state specifically adds a mud flap regulation to the FMCSRs that are adopted into state law as a package, law enforcement doesn't have a way of writing you up for missing a mud flap.

 

That's not your problem. You red tag it. Your job is to act in the best interests of your employer. It's commendable to think of the next driver, but most often in these-type circumstances those pleas are an excuse.

You're within your rights to not drag a trailer with a known issue, IMO, but if you can fix it, you should fix it. If not, your next call/message goes to Safety for guidance. "Communication".

A mud flap is not an OOS violation, you should know that. Safety would probably tell you to yank it to Love's and they would cover the ticket if you happened to encounter a Barney.

One of the tricks of truck driving is making as few decisions as possible. A driver is responsible for everything that goes wrong. Consequently, when you have the opportunity to shift some responsibility, you'd be smart to do it.

Contrary to what seems like popular opinion, cops in areas where trucks are frequent tend to lean more toward being pretty understanding if you exude professionalism.

You can probably grab a few red tags at the shop. If not, invest in some at a truck stop.

 

All of you saying to let the company pay the ticket are missing the point. OP doesnt care about the money, he wants to maintain a clean record. Your company can pay the fine, but its YOUR name on the ticket and YOUR record!

 

You're missing the point. There are ways around this without exposing yourself to a ticket. AND depending on where this was at, it may not have been an offense.

 

The person that drop that trailer didn't do a post trip or failed to mention the missing mudflap to his company or may have mentioned it but the company failed to act which is very common.Had it been me I would have took that mudflap off the mt trailer told dispatch and then let them worry from then on what to do about that trailer.I think most drivers at his company would have done what the majority here would have done.So had he took that mudflap off the mt,chances are the driver that picked up the mt would have hightailed it to loves to get it fixed or whatever shop is the closest.

 

Couldn't bear to read it all..but Holy ####### WOW....are you kidding me.....anyone mention just takin one of your ####### Tractor.....since they aren't required if you are Under a Wagon....And ANYONE out here w/out Basic Handtools....is asking for a whole lotta pain.....

 

Yeah its ridiculous .. you're right..

 

Shut down for a missing mudflap? Or drive 30 miles to get it replaced?

It's a shame this is even a question. Your job as a truck driver is get the load delivered on time, safely. And a missing mudflap will NOT affect safety. Yeah, you might (like, a one in a million chance) get a ticket, but that is not because it is a safety issue but rather because the federal government is totally out of control.

I always try to drive the truck like it was MY $$ I was spending.

 

It's not a federal issue! The term "mud flap" never occurs in parts 393 (required equipment) or 396 (driver inspections) of the FMCSRs as a piece of required equipment. If it's not in there, how can the Feds be blamed for a mud flap infraction? If one has a problem with this it's your state government that's out of control.

 

I ain't never. A road call for a missing mudflap.