Avoiding tickets

Where were you 30+ yrs ago ?
To:/OP there is no perfect way,only seat time to guide you around
Legal is and will always be subjective,so pitch that shovel full of ***out of the stall.

There will come a time when you will recognize "the force" and it will guide you without fail,never guess a second guess. Opting to follow the fear statutes leaved by mega Carrier X prevents such freedoms many out here were weaned on.

Running Legal is best,but true Freedom is Running

 

Nope that would be the kingpin (under the front of the trailer) & fifth-wheel (on the back of the tractor) that joins the 2 units together.

 

The simple answer is that you stay legal. The long answer is that you stay road smart. Those that drive for CRE know what road smart is.

 

The truck driving regs are online here. Starting at Part 390 is where you need to pay close attention.

Drive like the cops and the boss are always watching, sometimes they are. Don't just say safety and compliance are important when your local cop or your boss asks about work. Assume you are being watched as you drive and don't "go with the flow." It's your job to know the regulations and the road signs. It's not something you should do when you have no pressure or you have plenty of time. Following the rules must become your habit.

There are rebels that like to imagine they can break the rules as often as necessary and get away with it. Then when they are caught doing something wrong they get angry and pretend they have been singled out for persecution.

Many truck drivers like to whine they are targeted by the cops for BS tickets and then they continue to give the cops numerous reasons to pick on them. That's why I have contempt for some drivers. A normal person would react to feeling they have a target on there back by being extra careful, some truck drivers buy illegal magic boxes and ask other rebels to agree with their superstition or creative interpretation of the rules.

The rulebook is your best shield from blame. Don't think of the rules as a long list a to-do list. Understand that following the rules gives you protection. There will still be some random events you can't control. Don't add to those few problems by making every day an opportunity for a violation.

 

Just to add to some already excellent advice:
Don't drive for a company with a bad safety/compliance record. The nice clean equipment thing helps also.

 

The secret to avoiding tickets?



Avoid tickets.

 

Be a professional. Know and obey the rules and regulations. Keep everything in order, clean truck, neat paperwork, driver hygene and attitude to name a few. Everything in order and neat. I know many will say this is over the edge and maybe I am. I can't count on one hand, but maybe two, how many times I have gotten a break because of this. Attitude is BIG! I've gotten out of two speeding tickets by having my stuff ready and answering with the exact speed on the radar gun when asked if I know how fast I was going. Be honest and accept responsibility. You aren't getting out of anything by misdirecting blame or making excuses.

Consider the fact that the LEO scutinizing you is a human. Consider the fact that he is checking to see if you are compliant. Consider the fact that if you appear to be a professional with a professional attitude you are well ahead of many. I have received numerous breaks for small mistakes and ommissions on my part. I believe I got those breaks because I portrayed myself as an honest professional with a good attitude. While being evaluated he found many things at or above par and chose to give me a pass on that one little thing. If this had gone the other way, that one little thing would have been one more violation on a long list.

 

I have a failure to stop sign on right turn 2007 (1 point) and driving with suspended 2009 (2 points). A guy told me I am radioactive for at least five years and maybe 10 years. I have never had an accident, DUI (I don't drink, never have)
I do not have a CDL and hoped to try for one. Am I completly foolish??
Steve

 

You have some Quality drivers answering your questions here. Take there advise, I dont need to tell you anything, these veteran drivers are TOP-NOTCH, and They answered everything. There will probably be More Qualility drivers answering here. You best take notes, and Follow them around on this forum, They have the answers to everything in trucking. Your pretty lucky you found this site. Good Luck.

 

That's the fun way. But as I see it you can only do that if you're an O/O. Or with a company that doesn't care. If you're talking about speeding that is.

I know I sure wasn't going to waste a great job for running stupid. There are things that do happen on the road and what makes the difference between a steering wheel holder and a professional is that the professional will see what's going on and make the best attempt available to fix it without downgrading safety. The decision on what to do comes with experience.