Should a driver pay for leaving their keys inside the truck?

I got myself stuck in some mud one night.
It cost me nearly $300 to get dragged out.

I paid for it because it was my own stupid fault.

70 bucks is cheap to learn to always have a spare key in your left pocket.

 

I keep a key in the ignition, one in my right pocket, and another by the battery box. But I digress. These things happen as someone that used to employee drivers I would much rather eat the cost than have someone pissed at me in my equipment

And that's why I used to always run a strap between the doors.

 

When I was a teenager, my best friend's dad had a dump truck. He was always messing with us, pranking us every chance he got. Until we got him back one morning.

In the winter he'd go out and open the truck door and start the truck while standing on the ground, then go back in the house for a cup of coffee. When he'd come out the truck would be warned up and ready to go.

We hatched a scheme one cold night. We went over to his truck, turned the A/C on high, cranked the radio up, pumped his seat all the way up and slid it forward. Then we tied bungee cords between the doors.

The next morning, his Dad goes out, grabs the door latch, pulls it open, and it promptly comes back and whacks him in the head. He gets past that and starts the truck, goes in the house for his coffee. Comes out a while later to a cold truck and the radio blaring away.

That ended him pranking us for a while.. ..

 

Same thing happened to me with a 1989 International COE in Des Moines, IA. Popped the window out and was back in. Only happened once!!

 

Dawm @Ruthless your hard core! You keep your new drivers on speed dial?

LOL

I always figured it was the employer’s responsibility within reason. If I wanted the risk I’d own the truck myself. Want me to share the risk than share the profit. I mean where dose it stop? Pay the deductible? How bout I just pay the premium too? I guess I could buy the tires as they go flat too?

That being said if happens to often you WILL be replaced.

 

I’d probably give the driver one freebie and after that it’s on them. But I can also imagine how many “it’s only $70” a company puts up with over the course of a week.

 

On my 9300 Eagle,I used to keep a spare key duct taped to the inside of the engine air cleaner lid. 6 twist thumb screws,and the lid was off,no tools needed,no one is going to look in there for a spare key.

 

I don't understand how my 20 years old Volvo does not let you lock the door unless it's shut, yet I constantly see even new Freightliners get locked out. I wonder what's the logic behind Freightliners engineers decision to make it work that way

 

Hey op, it is on you. If you can't get into a routine to make sure the keys are in your hand when you exit the cab, then how can you blame the company by forcing them to pay for any entry into the truck?

 

happened to me ONCE and i learned valuable lessons..

1) thank god, i forgot to roll up the window that time

and then.....

2) always kept spare key(s), one in my wallet, one on my key ring for my personal vehicle, one which was on a key ring in my "coin pocket" in my jeans or in my pants pocket.

but it happens, it should be on you cuz, you caused it to happen, not the company.

it's not like a flat, or mechanical issue/failure with the equipment..this was a driver issue.....

 

Makes a more conscious driver.correct?