Roadside DOT Inspection Poll

bluejaybee · Jan 27, 2012

We all talk about it. Whether it is a roadside or at a weigh station. Let's see just how many times a year each one of us really got inspected by DOT while traveling around doing our job in 2011. So take the poll if you remember the times last year (2011) you were inspected. If you have multiple trucks or are a fleet owner and know what the average inspects are per truck for a year, please answer the poll. Could be interesting.

zorry · Jan 27, 2012

Three inspections. One fix-it ticket. Angle of slack adjuster to pushrod too great. (Ca.) adjust brake, got third sticker.

layoutshooter · Jan 28, 2012

One level two. In the three years prior we had 10 either level one or level two in inspections

zorry · Jan 28, 2012

None were caused by being pulled in by something they saw. During the final game of the world series I got pulled in because he figured he could knock it out during the commercials. He found one slack adjuster problem. I was empty, but had tag axle down. 1 out of six brakes bad got me a fix it ticket. I continued towards pick up. If I had tag axle up I would have had 1 out of 4 brakes bad resulting in O/S. I never put my lift axle up. When I piggybacked trucks on a lowboy, we seldom got inspected. You couldn't get under the trailer unless you had a pit.

tknight · Jan 28, 2012

1 time in indiana, 2 in ohio, 1 in new jersey and 1 more in conneticut, Having a clean and shinny truck is sometimes a bad idea, when stopped in indiana, I asked why me, and the dot guys said with a smirk, that the truck is clean and he wasn't gonna get dirty doing a level 2, got busted for a cracked brake pad once, and just in december in jersey they got me for a rusted clasp on my spare tire chain, said it wasn't secure, and a loose body bolt, after he wapped it a few times with his hammer. Boy when they nit pick, they nit pick!

tk

butterfly610 · Jan 29, 2012

I get full blown inspections about three or four times a year. No kidding. I always have a clean truck and papers in order. We weigh loads that warrant checking, so nothing they should question. I am sshort and sit low, and one DOT said I look like a little girl sitting in the seat. They are always very friendly and have given me compliments on the cleanliness and good smell of the truck when they opened my door. Maybe this helps the inspection outcome. My husband has had a few, and he said way more than he ever had when driving a semi.

zorry · Jan 29, 2012

I have heard of an officer using a loyalty card to check fueling history. You may want to keep them out of sight. In this day of cell phones, cameras, and computers you may slip one by an officer in a roadside inspection. If unfortunate enough ever to be involved in a major accident, the truth will come out. This logic turned me from an occasionally very hard runner to a chior boy with a log book.

AMonger · Jan 29, 2012

zorry said:
I have heard of an officer using a loyalty card to check fueling history. You may want to keep them out of sight. In this day of cell phones, cameras, and computers you may slip one by an officer in a roadside inspection. If unfortunate enough ever to be involved in a major accident, the truth will come out. This logic turned me from an occasionally very hard runner to a chior boy with a log book.

If they want your phone or your frequent fueler card, the answer is "No." Even if I had nothing to hide, the answer would be no.

--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.