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Slowing down at scales

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by wonderkins, Jun 20, 2017.

Page 1 of 6
  1. Jun 20, 2017 #1
    wonderkins

    wonderkins Light Load Member

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    I'm just curious what the deal is with drivers slowing down before going past the prepass? I run past Washington state port of entry at exit 14, and I swear almost every time the trucks ahead of me will slow down to 45 or 50. Either a coasting slow, or a slam on the brakes.

    I'm not mad about it, but it does get annoying. I've been pulled in whether I was empty, loaded, or bobtail. It doesn't seem to make any difference. Is it actually helping anything to slow down a whole line of trucks?

    Or what about when a scale house is closed and a driver goes into the middle lane until they are past the prepass and then get back over? What are the issues with the scales?

    I'm not judging anyone's habits. I'm just curious.

    Whoops. I meant to put this in the experienced driver section.
     
    wonderkins, Jun 20, 2017
    wonderkins, Jun 20, 2017
    #1
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  3. Jun 20, 2017 #2
    scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    There's several youtube videos out there of drivers going slow through the prepass zone and getting green lights. Everyone watches the video and thinks that is the trick to do.
     
    scottied67, Jun 20, 2017
    scottied67, Jun 20, 2017
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  4. Jun 20, 2017 #3
    Wanderer1

    Wanderer1 Light Load Member

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    I used to do that, because when I was an O/O sometimes I was running faster than the speed limit. If I got the green light ,the sensor before and after the scale might (don't know for sure) calculate how fast I was going, so I slowed down to a few miles below the speed limit til I get by the last sensor, then back to business
     
    Wanderer1, Jun 20, 2017
    Wanderer1, Jun 20, 2017
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  5. Jun 20, 2017 #4
    againstthewind

    againstthewind Road Train Member

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    kinda like asking why someone got your order wrong at the mcdonalds drive thru
     
    againstthewind, Jun 20, 2017
    againstthewind, Jun 20, 2017
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  7. Jun 20, 2017 #5
    wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    Even when closed I'm sure a lot of it has to do with rubber necking. It's natural instinct to survey the enemies camp
     
    wore out, Jun 20, 2017
    wore out, Jun 20, 2017
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  8. Jun 20, 2017 #6
    Blu_Ogre

    Blu_Ogre Road Train Member

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    Possible speed sensors like @Wanderer1 said.

    Also if trucks are too close together the Pre-pass seams to not work. So slow down then speed up to get a bit of space cushion if I need it......
     
    Blu_Ogre, Jun 20, 2017
    Blu_Ogre, Jun 20, 2017
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  9. Jun 20, 2017 #7
    wonderkins

    wonderkins Light Load Member

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    Yeah I've learned to back off a lot more now when I know the scale is coming. And I'm paid hourly so the speed doesn't matter too much.

    It's when there's a line of say 7 trucks. The first guy does a no brake slow down. The second guy doesn't realize in time and slams his brakes causing a chain reaction. And then everybody is too close when going by the prepass.
     
    wonderkins, Jun 20, 2017
    wonderkins, Jun 20, 2017
    #7
  10. Jun 20, 2017 #8
    Roberts450

    Roberts450 Road Train Member

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    At the one westbound in Cle Elum I tend to slow to about 55 before the weight in motion because the exit off the bridge there is quite ruff and it gives the truck a second to settle down. Otherwise I just slow to the speed limit as Im usally run 65 or so. But I dont know whats up with the guys slowing to under 55. Pisses me off cause it upsets my liquids and normally try to have them calm when rolling the weight bars.
     
    Roberts450, Jun 20, 2017
    Roberts450, Jun 20, 2017
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  11. Jun 21, 2017 #9
    Blu_Ogre

    Blu_Ogre Road Train Member

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    I think they have taken to screwing up every bridge and culvert near every scale nationwide just to mess with the tankers and toters......
     
    Blu_Ogre, Jun 21, 2017
    Blu_Ogre, Jun 21, 2017
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  12. Jun 21, 2017 #10
    ladr

    ladr Road Train Member

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    Because they don't know how to drive.
     
    ladr, Jun 21, 2017
    ladr, Jun 21, 2017
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