Rest Area Shake Downs

Why wouldn't they go away. There are ten more trucks parked next to you that are dumb enough to go on duty in the middle of their ten.

 

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If you are not parked immigrant there should be no knock on your door unless its late and the blood sucking vampires are hungry.....

 

Some states they do pound on your door, wake you up, and inspect your truck. They even check you logs to see if you changed duty status when you stopped in the rest area. Don't know about all the states, but Ohio, Virginia, Maryland do it; I've witnessed it.
Once in Maryland I was sleeping in a rest area and woke up when I heard the cops banging on the door of the truck next to me. They were also in the process of inspecting other trucks at the same time and you could tell by looking at the drivers, they just got out of bed. I immediately climbed in the drivers seat in my underwear and drove off; stopped a few miles later and finished dressing.
It's just a money grab and nothing more. Any cop that would be involved in something like that is just a low life scumbag.

 

Yea, it does seem wrong for the people who are supposed to be making sure we are following the HOS to wake you up when they know you're on a break. But, legally, they can. Logbook rules say you can work past 14 hours, just can not drive after the 14th hr. So going on duty for an inspection wouldn't cause you to violate HOS. All you could really do is cooperate with the inspection, and restart your 10 hr break. It stinks, I know, but legally, you wouldn't win if you refused, if the officer wished to push it. You can be inspected any time you are a public roadway. And a rest area is part of the public roadway system. You could maybe get away with refusing on private property......maybe.

 

Haven't had it happen yet..

Luck of the draw I guess

 

Thats exactly what I do. I was in Pa last time I got the knock knock at 7am. Curtains were closed. I didnt even get out from under the covers. They knocked 3 or 4 times and moved on to the next truck.

Hurst

 

You can't get forced on duty.

 

When your curtains are closed,.. and its 6 - 7 am. Thats called a clue,.. you are obviously not on duty.

I have gotten the knock at 7am before.

Hurst

 

No rest area safe and some truck stops have seen dot pull guys off fuel islands for inspections also seen it happen while making drops at businesses. Just face it no safe place unless your sitting at home with gate at end of driveway.

 

Sleep walkers