Dash light on Air Gauge out. Reason to refuse to drive?

The problem with the light bulb is an easy fixable deal...not no where worth the argument it would cause if you refused to drive the vehicle...BUT , if you have found issues that you know could possibly result in your ability to drive that vehicle in a safe manner , then by all means don't move it. I think you know that you could be held just as responsible as the company for an accident that happens. God forbid it to happen , but "if" you knowingly go ahead and leave then you are involved in an accident with fatalities...the 1st word out of the companies lawyers mouth is gonna be He didn't report those mechanical problems and red-line that power unit.....you do have that option...just be sure the problem/s you site are valid safety violations. I know times are real hard for folks...and you don't want to leave without a nother way to support your family in place...that's good...But , you need to think about the rest of us whise families use the same roads that you do....we need "your "help" to remain safe ourselves....I'd really rather be Unemployed and standing in line waiting to sign up for my check than be standing in a courtroom trying to convince a judge that it wasn't my fault the brakes failed.....

 

Do you fill out the post trip inspection every day. The dot look at that and if you are writing this stuff down every day and they allow you to drive it, its their fault. Your complaints are minor. I've dealt with far worse. Your buzzer will tell you if your air is low anyway lol

 

I would like to add that from experience, it sounds like whether you are aware of it or not you may have made some one in the shop mad at you. Its common to say well forget him I wont fix anything but what I have to on his truck thats childish if he worked for me would be kicking rocks. From work time to quit time personal feelings should be checked at the door. I hate that your in this situation if thats the case cause he will say you are just whining and from there it becomes a peeing contest with no good outcome. I would definitely keep a copy of all trip reports and look for employment else where. The company needs to look from the we all have family out there stand point. Really no one but you the driver can tell you YOUR own comfort level, everybodies is different. Bottom line is if you are not comfortable don't leave with it, don't let them tell you it be fine accidents happen when you are already on edge. And yes some things no one should be comfortable with

 

I hate to be the one to play devils advocate here, and I don't really belive in putting negaive posts anywhere on this forum. That being said, I'll share the advice an old timer gave me a long time ago.... "Son, make yourself a ham sandwich, cowboy up and keep on truckin!" That being said I agree with everyone who said find another job, there are plenty of positions avaliable for safety minded drivers. Its always easier to find a job when you already have one. Keep in mind if your company reports to DAC they could smear you for refusing to drive. A 50cent 194 bulb is not worth a career you've worked very hard for.

 

That "old timer" gave you good advice...IF you were driving 30 years ago....not today though...way too many ways/things to held liable for now.

 

Dashlite is nothing a small flashlite won't fix.But the other reasons are valid reasons not to drive before the dot finds out and puts those on your record.

 

I agree with you, but I do feel the need to defend my post. No trailer lights ~ bad. Massive air leak ~ bad. Wore out brakes ~ bad.... and the list goes on and on. We all know if we get pulled over Johnny Law can find something to write a ticket for. I'd rather be looking for a job on my time off, with 10 points on my license than fired and blackballed for 'load abandonment'. "I'm looking for a more safety oriented carrier" is a great thing to say in a job interview. No question, a truck that's not road worthy should not be operated.

 

You work for a small too cheap to get anything fixed and does there shopping at a junkyard company don't you?

 

wonder what a new engine would cost them if it overheated because that water gauge doesn't work?

 

Now you will have to confirm this with a lawyer but there is a law that allows you some job protection if you refuse to drive the truck, I would outright refuse to drive something that YOU deem unsafe and let them deal with the fall out.

Other than that, I wouldn't listen to the "go driver" attitude, the company needs to step up and do the right thing but no matter what, your license is more important than them saving some money.