DOT fines... how common?

The most common fine is probably the HOS violation. It may be speeding, but I would have to guess it's the logbook that gets guys in trouble the most.

The second most common, I will say, is length-law violations. This one is especially common in California, as Cally is strict about length laws. If you're too long on a Cally run, you'll have to bring your rear tandems forward. They'll bust you for this before you make corrections, of course.

Know that if moving your wagon wheels forward to the proper position makes you too heavy on the rear, you'll have to climb up into the wagon and move freight, assuming you can move it by hand. If each container is too heavy, it's "wrecker time". In any case, being too long will lighten your wallet. Always make sure any run going to Cally that is loaded in a 53 is loaded properly. You don't want to find yourself inside a wagon in August or January in Truckee, California moving freight forward by hand one item at a time. Been there...done that....won't ever do it again.

 

Outside of log violations it comes down to being serious about your pre trips. With DOT doing these safety blitzes several times a year keeping the equipment legal is important. When you do your morning walk around actually take the time to really look at everything like brakes, slack adjuster, exhaust etc and its not a bad idea when your on your 34 hour rest to crawl under the truck and check everything completely. a) its for your own safety and b)it ain't that much fun being OOS and dragged to a shop.

 

Speaking of safety blitzes. There is one going on in CT. this labor day weekend.

 

Safety blitz in MA and RI as well Labor day weekend. Feds handed out some grant money for the trooper's OT.

 

BTW, CA DOT will drive by you and pace you checking out your 40' kingpin tandem spacing!! Then pull you over a give you a 'big' tkt!! Heard that it's better to be a little over-weight in CA then over 40" kingpin!! Also, have seen drivers who didnt 'lock' their tandems get nailed!!

I've been driving CA on a regular basis for 7+ years without paying a fine (cleared 'fixit' tkts!)---not many can say that!! Takes good driver practices, lots of luck, a good 'Guardian Angel', etc. to do that!!

 

Maybe they should be doing these safety blitzes in TX, NM, AZ, and CA with all of the Mexican trucks coming across the border starting tomorrow!

 

I am sure that the border is the last place the feds will place enforcement funds. 'They' ar ethe ones who are opening the door. Musn't upset NAFTA!

 

Yes, the powers that be want the Mexies in the US driving the rigs right now. They want you to be displaced slowly over time so that when the big "take down" happens, it'll be nice and smooth. It's far less politically dangerous to suddenly throw a million mexicans out of work than it is to throw a million republican-leaning American white boys out of work.

What is the "take down"? The railroads taking over OTR freight hauling, of course.

Everything is falling into place, boys. OTR is as good as dead.

 

http://www.jbhunt.com/images/what_we_do_truck_kingpin.gif
Here's a map of state bridge laws.