Tip for new drivers

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by panthernz, Jul 7, 2012.

  1. panthernz

    panthernz Bobtail Member

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    Dec 2, 2011
    new zealand
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    hey all well thought i would parse on a tip that has saved me a few times
    i kept a not book of all the faults i find on the trucks and the date ,
    and all so the date i told the company of them .
    a few times when i have been pulled over the cop see the same fault , i have shown them the not book
    to show that i picked it up but the boss hasn't fixed it yet
    this moves the chain of responsibly back to the company this way they cant turn round and say you didnt tell them
    as a driver you are reasonably for the safety of your truck even if its a company one it has protected me
    from losing my licence or getting big fines for driving a unsafe truck remeber its your licence on the line
    not your boss protect your self
     
    Scarlet Termite and gb2nyc Thank this.
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  3. Scarlet Termite

    Scarlet Termite Bobtail Member

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    Jul 4, 2012
    Columbus, Ohio
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    That is exactly my Dad's advice. Document everything!
     
  4. Vito

    Vito Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 4, 2012
    North Carolina
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    CYA is always a good thing! :yes2557:
     
  5. impact5988

    impact5988 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 3, 2012
    Arkansas
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    Sound advice. Thanks for the tip. CYA is never a bad thing!
     
  6. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    it doesn't move the responsibility anywhere.

    it is YOURs alone !!!

    not fixed = not driven
     
    AXE, Matti, gb2nyc and 4 others Thank this.
  7. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    Apr 17, 2007
    Pacific Northwest
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    What 123456 said. We call that a DVIR.
     
  8. marmonman

    marmonman Road Train Member

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    central illinois
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    The truth is if it is wrong on paper ,on the truck ,on the weight ,or even on the freight and you are the driver it IS your butt that will feel the fire !!

    You and you alone are the one that will be held responsible for any and EVERYTHING that is wrong !!
     
    aiwiron Thanks this.
  9. Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    Jan 28, 2011
    Arlington Heights, IL
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    Yes, you won't get far saying, "look officer. I wrote down that the trailer had no brakes four months ago! My company should have fixed it!"

    I used a list like that for defects that didn't quite need to be fixed but might make me grab a different trailer if I had the option.

    Like rear door locks that were very hard to open or close.

    One or two of our trailers in the shuttles had really touchy tandem brakes. They would lock up very easily. You did not want to pull that trailer back to the shipper, when empty, on days with less road traction, rain or snow.

    Mikeeee
     
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  10. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
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    That's essentially what I was going to say. All the OP is doing is documenting that he KNOWINGLY is perhaps operating an unsafe vehicle. Either he is wasting his time doing all this documenting or he is going to "hang himself" if follwing an accident or roadside inspection he shows this to LE as further proof the defect was noted and ACKNOWLEDGED. The operation of the truck is ultimately at the discretion of the driver, not dispatch, not some mechanic, and not some boss. Some things are worth risking your job for in refusing to operate a vehicle, some are not. It's up to the driver and the perceived attitude of the carrier to determine what is prudent, given the defect noted. While I understand where the OP is coming from, and it's always a good idea to "CYA", but at some point this documentation potentially becomes more of a liability than an asset.

    Besides, lawfully, these "defects" are supposed to be noted on driver's daily logs (if on paper or EOBR) and the other notation seems a bit redundant in the event push comes to shove because it is the federally mandated "daily logs" that are going to be scrutinized in court.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2012
  11. Vito

    Vito Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 4, 2012
    North Carolina
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    Duly noted. This makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.
     
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