Got Issued A BOGUS Violation Today

To say that an inspection by a DOT officer is a subjective circumstance is the understatement of the century.
I had one PA State Police officer be quite candid about one of my tail lights working intermittently one time. He said see if you can wiggle the wire. Writting you up would be a cheap collar, cop speak for unnecessary enforcement.

 

I have seen many brand new trucks and trailers with brake lines that have a tape like tag hanging of them where they thread in to the brake chamber.

 

I have been put oos in az for faded colors on air hoses its just part of trucking that is all

 

The Inspector should be following CVSA OP Policy 15, when it comes to chafing air lines. You can DataQ the violation through the fmcsa website. If you decide to dataQ the violation, make sure to send supporting documentation (pictures, etc.).

CVSA OP Policy 15:

(2) When should air hoses not be documented as a violation for chafing?
ANSWER:
A violation should not be recorded until a reduction of the hose
diameter is observed. It is not a violation if the hoses/lines rest on, or lightly rub
on vehicle components. A hose that is found to have a reduction in diameter but
is no longer chafing does not constitute a violation unless damage extending to
or through
the outer reinforcement ply is observable; when damage extends to or
through the outer reinforcement ply a violation will be recorded (thermoplastic
nylon tubing that is discoloured or faded but not damaged, is not a violation).
NOTE:
If inspectors observe air hoses/lines that appear to be resting on or lightly
rubbing on vehicle components, but no observable reduction is present,
inspectors should educate the driver that this is a condition that, while not in
violation, is a condition that could lead to
a violation/OOS condition in the future
and make comments in the notes only, if so inclined.

 

Funny a couple of you guys automatically thought of New Mexico, I used to repair lots of violations at the San Jon scales. I could tell you hard to belive stories going both ways.

 

Hope the driver got his safety guy to dataQ. The inspection. It's easy. It's free. And if it's legit then the violation is removed.

 

If the Data Q is successful... When you data Q something it goes right back to THE SAME officer that wrote the violation to begin with.

 

That would be incorrect, officers that handle the dataQs would be a diffrent group then the inspector, they would probly contact the inspector for there two cents on the inspection but they wouldn't be the one handling it.