Red light issues...

please note I never had a problem yet. I understand that trucks can't stop the way cars do and you can't slow down too much for every light you see. If a cop were to see me run a red that just turned on me that I had no chance in stopping for, could I fight the ticket if he/she gives me one??

 

Maybe?
You have a certain distance/speed where you are committed to going through that intersection, even if you hit the brakes you're still going through it lol. But in general, the officer knows this as well. If you were able to stop, and didn't, then the officer had every right to issue that ticket.

 

Nope. Cold busted.

Reason: FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.

If you are on city streets with a ton of lights, then it is YOUR responsibility to drive accordingly and slow enough to stop if need be. The law could care less about your tight delivery schedule.

As a CDL holder, it is YOUR responsibility to operate a CMV safety and legally at ALL times.

Its kinda like answering the question, "Why were you speeding? " and replying "cause I'm gonna be late for (insert word). Not their (LEO) problem.

 

"i had reached my point of commitment, Officer"

 

Hold your guts and tell 'em you've got violent diarhea.

 

If you ever get to Quebec Canada don't ever do it. The instant it turns red for your side it turns green for other way. There is no slack time where all 4 directions are red. You will be at fault for going through a red if something happens, and rightfully so.

 

Steel Tiger nailed it... nothing more needs to be said on this post really.
But I'll reiterate.
....CDL.. .Professional driver... Drive with consideration to road/traffic conditions... Maintain control of vehicle at all times... including, but not limited to safe following distance and speed.. Period..

 

Just ask yourself this:
If you did that on a driving test exam to get your licence, would you fail? So why is something like this so cut and dry even in question?

 

Every light intersection crossing has an instant where you are ###### if you do, and ###### if you don't. There is a point where it is totally subjective, your chances in court, though will always be against the driver just because of the nature of courts and law enforcement being on the same side.

Do what you can when on streets with lights to reduce your liability, but on many road sections with lots of lights, if you drive "slower and safer", your setting yourself up for more risk of being "late to the green" due to speed/timing issues. Don't beat yourself up. You're going to pass through yellow and red lights in your career, no matter how careful you are in dealing with them. Besides, you'll run across some yellow lights are not timed long enough for cars, let alone truck traffic.