Using Flashers when climbing up a grade

Here is the link to the code: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc25251.htm

You can read it for yourselves.

Certain CHP officers just have a hard on for truck drivers.

 

I just got off the phone with an officer from the CHP commercial division and we discussed 25251 (a) (3) - I quote:

"(3) To warn other motorists of accidents or hazards on a roadway, turn signal lamps may be flashed as warning lights while the vehicle is approaching, overtaking, or passing the accident or hazard on the roadway if the front turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously and the rear turn signal lamps at each side are being flashed simultaneously."

The officer and I discussed the ambiguity of "To warn other motorists of accidents or hazards on a roadway..." and the advice I got was: "Use your flashers when you feel they are appropriate" (I feel my truck is a hazard to other motorists due to my slow speed up a grade). An officer can cite you if the officer feels you are not a hazard, but be sure to tell the officer that you felt you were a hazard and (this was stressed) that you were erring on the side of safety of the motoring public. The officer admitted that it would be possible to get a ticket, but also admitted that the judge is more than likely going to see it in my favor (using the same I perceive myself a hazard and erring on the side of safety argument).

I mentioned to the officer how difficult it is to go to court and fight a ticket for a trucker and that received no understanding at all. Also the officer said, if you are cited, bring the reference from Officer Chris S., California Highway Patrol, Commercial Vehicle Section, Sacramento, California, that I gave in Post #20 to court with you.

 

you never will get any "understanding" from a LEO about the ability to appear. Not his problem. Basically, if you can't appear in court, you should not have committed the infraction in the first place.

As for me and flashers.. I darn near use them on the open highway in Nevada/Utah/Wyoming/Colorado etc. Governed at 60, Traffic whizzing past me at 90... When I hit any kind of grade, I am half tempted to get out and settle in for a nice cup of tea.

400HP and 80,000 pounds can make you bitter

 

Just think of the time you have for those great mountain views.

 

oh I do.. and think of all the film I use... 400HP - next best thing to a tripod

 

You should have tried it running a 350 Cummins back in 1976...going up the Wasatch, I swear I could actually see the grass growing !

 

This may or may not count but in another life, I drove a company dump truck. It was a L8000 with a 270 Ford (yep, Ford made their own diesels way back when) with an 8LL.
Talk about watching grass grow, ugh.....

 

I have no jake in my truck so I stay at a comfortable speed going down those hills I was getting yelled at(bosses) because i was taking to much time. I told them its my life & my license and i don't speed or rush for anyone. The seasoned driver told me not to rush, you drive the truck not them. Plus no one wants that shift or route.LOL

 

Came through Maryland on I68 today.
Several times I passed signs stating "Truckers, use flashers for slow speed and poor visibility".
Don't know about Ca., but it's legal in Maryland. IN fact, sounds mandantory to me.
And yes, I think I had the flashers on more often than off