Just some of the stupid things I see

That mentality stretches through out the business. From actions on the interstate to almost running someone over in a parking lot. But they'll get lost looking at the DVD's at the Pilot while parked at the fuel island.

I'll never understand that one.

Not stopping the minor infraction thing, I agree with your point of view. Besides, the courts couldn't handle all the people if everyone was cited. I think the best approach is education and make everyone retest at renewals. Half the infractions are ignorance of the laws.

 

I wasn't suggesting you try it by yourself on the interstate. I wouldn't want you out in that mess any more than I want to be out in it. More trying to plant an idea that might spread to the higher ups that could set something up to, like condo said, educate and bring people's attention to it. Maybe do it on the state highway in town where the speed limit is 35 or something.

I dunno, people are getting crazier by the day. I had a van today decide I was taking too long at a light and passed me on the shoulder turning right while I was turning right off the highway exit ramp. He floored it and missed my nose by a couple inches at best. All just to get to the bank a block away 5 seconds faster.

 

A cop in NY state or NYC wouldn't even tolerate that kind of backtalk, for us here in NY, the sentiment of our police force is that they do what the hell they want and threaten those that will pursue a fair hearing with retaliation of more tickets and a watchful eye.

For CMV enforcement in the Hudson Valley area They use a means of entrapment. There is a bridge here called the Kingston - Rhinecliff bridge where on the Rhinecliff side a cmv operator is not forewarned about an upcoming inspection and he/she is basically entrapped by NYS police. The state makes big coin with their pricey surcharges and fines one has to wonder if it's safety theyre concerned about or generating more revenue. NY city views and ANNOUCES enforcement Openly! As a specific and targeted means of generating revenue with it's notorious parking tickets that average $110 each.

 

I'm not a big fan of asking you to enforce the "lights on, wipers on" thing in a downpour.

What I do think local law enforcement needs to do is an awareness campaign, preferably on a rainy, non-monsoon day to get people in the habit of turning on their lights when visibility is down.

Issue a warning the first time, a citation the second.

Exactly. It's pretty darn hard to see a gray car on a gray day with no lights and road spray all around.

I think you're a good cop, and I wish more were like you, actually. But here, we get to bridge the gap between Law Enforcement and big trucks, and we all know your voice would be heard better at a meeting than ours.

It's a common sense rule. We didn't think of it years ago, and built the vehicles to automatically turn on the headlights when we engaged the wipers, so here we sit.

The NY Troopers can be difficult at times, and I highly doubt a State Trooper or NYSDOT inspector would bring themselves to a truckers forum to interact with us.

New York has been famous for temporary weigh stations and roving patrols for years. State Police work the toll booths on the Thruway as well. If you feel the need to outsmart them, that is what the CB is for and an alternate route, which I know is a PITA when it comes to crossing the Hudson River. That's what makes it a ripe checkpoint.

But I have to disagree, you can't scream "entrapment". It's not like they are popping up out of a manhole cover and pulling you over.

I would have to say that revenue is a big part of it. In the event of parking tickets, there's not a lot you can do about it. I ran the city for years, and never got a parking ticket. Just a matter of asking where you can park when you are at a shipper/receiver and where the cops nail people for parking.

As long as you get in, do your business, and get back out in the course of a day, it should be pretty seamless. Staying overnight, fuhgetaboutit.

As far as roadside inspections, I would say that revenue comes into play, but the primary focus is safety.

 

Seriously??

Here's how I avoid being "entrapped" by NYS Police: I don't go to New York. Aside from that, when I was OTR, I did happen upon a New York inspection station set up in a rest area. The officers there were no more or less professional than any other DOT cop I've encountered. They did heir job: make sure my weights were legal and my paperwork was in order, and sent me on my way.

Too bad, so sad you can't "escape" the inspection station. Keep your crap in order and you won't have to sweat it. People who think they need to blow a scale are the reason they set up in places like that.

Here's an idea: Since you know they set up there and if you know you have something wrong, don't go across that bridge.

BTW: The definition of "entrapment" is getting you to do something illegal by means of coercion. I don't see how setting an inspection point up at the exit end of a bridge entices you to do something illegal.

Legal definition of "Entrapment"
The act of government agents or officials that induces a person to commit a crime he or she is not previously disposed to commit.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/_/dict.aspx?word=entrapment

 

Here's a thought: Instead of some of these citations involving heavy $$$ fines, make a mandatory safety class required. Violator (once convicted) must attend a safety class that teaches about various issues.
An example would be the stopping distance of trucks vs cars. Most people just don't realize what their doing when they cut off a loaded 18 wheeler and how it endangers everyone.
Or the idea of a dark day, spray, gray, etc, no lights.
Most of us would rather pay a fine, but if we're required to spend 6 hours in one of these classes, we'd likely be more careful in the future just so we don't have to 'invest' a day in the classroom.
And who knows? Some of us may learn something.

 

Who's gonna pay for that?

 

The violator. Much like the system in California for Traffic school.

 

The law for lights on when wipers are on has only been a law here for a couple of years. I am sure it is a per state law. It really is a matter of getting the public aware that you should have your lights on. If the state has nothing on thier books for it, you cant expect them (tthe public) to use it.