How to prevent uneven cargo, is it my fault?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by cbelman18, Mar 26, 2018.

  1. cbelman18

    cbelman18 Bobtail Member

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    Hello, very recently my brother was done with his training is now driving on his own. Pretty new. Recently, while doing a delivery, he was driving down the hill and he felt the moment when his cargo hit the front part of the trailer. Sure enough, he entered a revision zone and when the cops opened the trailer they saw the load in front. For this, my brother got a ticket for 800 dollars that HE HAS TO PAY. His company won't pay for it. So my questions are: who's really to blame, my brother or the people responsible for loading the trailer? Is it the driver's responsibility to inspection the load before leaving? What has your experience been with this? Do your companies make YOU responsible and make you pay if you get inspected and get a ticket, or is it just the company my brother works for? Do you have any advice to prevent uneven loads while driving? Any info would be of great help. Thank you.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2018
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  3. SavageMuffin

    SavageMuffin Medium Load Member

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    In my experience, anything that goes on a trailer is your responsibility. Like with loaded reefers/vans, if you don’t put load locks on it and something happens, it shifts etc, that’s on you. Other people with more experience will hopefully chime in.
     
  4. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    100% the drivers responsibility.

    Could you give some more detail on the type of trailer, what the freight was, and what a revision zone is please.
     
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  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Unless the trailer was sealed when he picked it up; he's responsible for ensuring the load is secure.
    Maybe it was a heavy load and put in the center of the trailer, then slid when he braked.
    Most new drivers don't realize a load can slide inside a trailer.
     
  6. cbelman18

    cbelman18 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 26, 2018
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    Dave_in_AZ, I do not know this info. I asked my brother and I'm waiting on the reply. He must be driving. I'll add a comment with his answer once I hear back from him.

    SavageMuffin, and Dave_in_AZ thank you for taking your time reading my post and for your answers. I'm sure this circumstance will serve as experience for my brother.

    Thanks for your input too, Chinatown.
     
  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Does he have endorsements? Where is his domicile, city/state; maybe there's a better job available.
    Is he a Canadian or American driver?
     
  8. driverdriver

    driverdriver Road Train Member

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    Yep it's the drivers responsibly to secure the load.
     
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  9. driverdriver

    driverdriver Road Train Member

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    Still the drivers responsibly.
    A driver is perfectly with in he's rights to have the shipper bust a presealed trlr to check .
    And when dot pops that door to check for proper securement And it's not that ol it was presealed ain't going to get'em out of a ticket.
     
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  10. rabbiporkchop

    rabbiporkchop Road Train Member

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    The driver is responsible for how the trailer is loaded. Either they load it my way, or it doesn't go on my trailer.
     
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  11. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    I used to make Swift and Mexican brokers cut bolt seals off trailers at the border all the time. I couldn’t go through every single box but I could take a whiff and see if I smelled bales of weed. Or saw any human cargo. Anything in or on a trailer, and how it is secured, is entirely the responsibility of the driver. The regulations for load checks are NOT just for flatbed drivers. Within the first 50 miles or one hour, whichever comes first. And then every 150 miles or 3 hours, whichever comes first. Then at every chance of duty status. It’s not optional. It’s actually mandatory. People on elogs have been getting away with it forever but we just had a guy get a form and manner(I believe) violation for not flagging a load check when he went off duty to take a ####. Idaho man... they check elogs all the time. Anyway... preloaded trailer is no excuse in DOT eyes. During the last main inspection blitz, securement was their focus and they cut seals off and inspected cargo on vans and reefers.
     
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