Question from a four wheeler

I can't answer your first question but possibly can your second.

If a truck driver runs out of his/her HOS they usually do NOT call DOT. That's the last person they want to see or call when they are out of their hours because DOT will give them a ticket for being over their HOS. What they do is forget about logging they drove over that 15-30 minutes to get to a place to park. They basically fudge their log book.

What they should do is log it like it happened and write down ran over my 11 or 14 whichever it is to find a place to park. This might help them from getting a ticket or false log from the log dept (me).
While it's illegal to use that as an exscuse we are aware crap happens and would rather see a driver log it as they did it than to turn in a lie!

The officer might not give a ticket if the "exscuse" is written before the officer has to ask why did you? That's what I hear from the DOT.

They could call a tow truck but if they did this it would definately cost their paycheck to pay for that tow so that's usually not an option but that's what DOT will tell you to do.

 

The only state I am aware of for a number is California, 3 and if your the 3rd your most likely going to get the ticket, but this is I guess only due to pollution.

 

If a driver is driving like he or she should then it would not be called a convoy. You've got to keep your distance but more and more drivers do not follow the simple defensive driving rules.

If you run out of hours and you're still on the road that's just poor planning on the drivers part.

 

No question is ever irrelevant ! Ask Away! Just wish I new more on the topic.

 

yeah, what they said!

I'd never considered whether a 'convoy' might be legal or not legal... Now I'll have to browse and find out (it's NOT in the FMCSR or US Code) - so it's gotta be state law

 

A convoy can be broken up or ticketed if it impedes traffic or becomes a nuisance in some way. Generally at the discretion of the officer, if a group of drivers is minding its manners there is no problem. If that group is controlling the flow of traffic, speeding or otherwise being a bother, tickets can be handed out. I don't drive in groups much these days. As often as not when drivers get together they start speeding and/or showing off a little. On top of that, I just don't need the added attention a bunch of trucks in a row will draw.

Secondly, run out of hours of service? P'shaw, my logs are figgered out for the next two days, it ain't gonna happen. Truly though, it is largely a matter of planning. Worst case scenario, you travel on and fudge it like one of Mr. Whitman's finest samplers.

 

i hear that, i did!! i've only had trouble parking once in a little over a year driving. i-75 was shut down dute to hazmat rollover south of ga/tn state line ( area i planned to stop for night) i ended up parking on get-on ramp with a few other drivers (i WILL NOT park on a ramp by myself heard too many stories)

 

Most drivers do not participate in "convoys". That is mostly movie entertainment. LOL
I like to think that most drivers *cough* start trying to find a place to park BEFORE they run over on their hours and thus dont get caught over on their HOS. Once or twice my planned place to park has been full and I have had to drive a little further, but not very often. After you have been out on the road for a while, you learn where parking places are, how long it takes to get there, and how much parking is usually available at that time of day. There are also all kinds of guides available that list truck stops and places that trucks can park.