I got another ticket, need experienced advice

It never ceases to amaze me how some drivers will either push themselves, or let some one else push them to drive 15-20 hours a day, and then act like they are cool for it.

I think a lot of it is because of the pay by miles game. They whip the drivers up into a frenzy telling them all the money they are making, or what ever other tactic they use. its definately slimey.

 

Never have run two log books, never needed to. Always had set loading and unloading times with enough time to get to appointment legally.

I log it as I run it, makes the stress of driving way less. If and when you have an accident, the opposing lawyer(s) are going to match up all your cell phone (gps) records, all your qualcomm records, all your Prepass records, and your credit card records, and any receipts that you turned in for reimbursement, to your logbook. They better agree within 15 minutes of each other or you are screwed.

 

That's a good point that alot of people seem to forget. What if. I can tell you from my last company that the opposing lawyers are going to look for whatever they can to discredit the driver so their client and them can get more money.

We had deep pockets and we've been sued by the best. Then on the flip side some so stupid you'd think how in the world can they even file this case. The last one that comes to mind was one of our drivers was getting ready to merge onto the highway and this driver in a small car fell asleep and hit our trailer. He got a ticket but the company still had to go to court. I know from talking with some higher ups in the company that they used to pay off these people to save money but no more. There was a dollar amount like $75,000 that they would just pay but they believe the word got out and alot of people filed for suit when in reality they had no case. There's even some that staged accidents but our security group went after them.

The point here is no matter what the case is the company will want to see all of your records. Even if it doesn't make it to court the company will know and you may not have a job if your records are off.

Powder Joints made a rash statement here without the real truth. Believe it or not there are some drivers that do follow the law. Sure at one time in there life there's a good chance they were speeding but that doesn't mean they continue to do it. We get paid by the hour and there's no need to speed. For along time we ran tach-o-graphs and your clock chart was handed in everyday. Now it's on the computer. If you were speeding the boss calls you aside. We just didn't do it. It was much better not to worry about it.

 

Have a job lined up before you go to cdl school. You won't get one w/ speeding tickets on your record otherwise. I'm saying you'll have to get a promise of a seat from someone willing to put you on their insurance w/ that record. It's very difficult to drive w/ consistent safety in a commercial rig even if you're good driving material (mentally and physically healthy.) The insurance co.'s set rates acording to risk. You're risk rating will be high w/ the infraction record.

 

All true, the fact exists that many people drive for years without an incident. The problem lies in that letting your judgment slip twice in such a short span of time is a problem. That right there becomes a careless driving or DWI charge. The DWI could very easily stick if you were in a transport as you were 'driving while impaired'. You even admitted it yourself.

Padded logs happens quite often. Five or ten minutes here and there when fueling and such is common. DOT up here WILL check your receipts against your logs if you get called in for an inspection. You cannot decline to show them receipts either, if they are from your current day or week you most likely will still have them. If the times are nice and close, no problem. If they are way off then you are snookered.

I personally run about 11 to 12 hours a day when in Canada so I don't have to pad logs, can get a good nights sleep, and can be sure that in 7 days I will have a decent number of hours rolling back into my available. That and sticking at 55 keeps my mileage at over 8mpg in a conventional, reduces tons of stress. I don't need to worry about speed traps on the highways. Weather doesn't bother one so much when you are just cruising along as well. Never had loads late because of it and always had reloads nice and quick.

But, then again, I don't have a clue how to drive. LOL

 

Your screwed. Slow down...........

 

You know you have a CDL, how do you accidentley drive impaired? Listen up chump.....you want the CDL you simply do not ever drink and drive.

 

I certainly hope you weren't calling me a chump. But, to elaborate, DWI DOES NOT MEAN JUST ALCOHOL! A DWI is an IMPAIRED charge. For example, ever drive tired? How about with a flu or cold? Maybe a bad headache? Even being emotional? How about talking on the cell or texting?

Any of those and more can be considered impaired. All it takes is to impair your judgment or focus from driving.