Texas DPS Operation Roadcheck 2011 starts today

[jinman]

I would never operate a airplane or any piece of machinery that I did not feel was safe.
Chris

Chris, I didn't think you would. I am very aware of the levels of interpretation of FARs. It's largely a function of whether your FSDO wants to be combative or helpful. The personalities vary widely and I have seen both. I've also seen operators who take advantage of a FSDO office with less stringent enforcement. All of this is topic for another thread, but I understand where you are coming from.

 

[Skyco]

I just wish SC had enough road police of whatever type to catch even 10% of the crap I see every day!
My real pet peeve though are the speeding, not signaling lane change truckers...and I bet I haven't seen 5 trucks stopped in SC in the last 10 years.

A little off topic but CMV related- I always wonder why I see so many big rigs greatly exceeding the speed limit while loaded but almost every time I see a bob tail (no trailer) he is just motoring along at the speed limit or below nice and safe??

 

[Diamondpilot]

A little off topic but CMV related- I always wonder why I see so many big rigs greatly exceeding the speed limit while loaded but almost every time I see a bob tail (no trailer) he is just motoring along at the speed limit or below nice and safe??

Time is money, plain and simple. When they do go without a load, not very often, they are running on there time and sometimes on there dime. It pays to go slower then.

Chris

 

[Bird]

A little off topic but CMV related- I always wonder why I see so many big rigs greatly exceeding the speed limit while loaded but almost every time I see a bob tail (no trailer) he is just motoring along at the speed limit or below nice and safe??

I think most of the drivers are still paid by the mile, so the more miles they can cover, the more money they make.

 

[jwstewar]

I can't find the article right now, but I see that Ohio is doing it the same thing for the same 3 days. Have to wonder if it isn't being "encouraged" by the Feds or something.

 

[Sabretooth]

Wow not one post about this coincidence Can anyone tell me why they picked these dates?.

Maybe this
Just about 30yrs ago Noon on the 7th of June :thumbsup:

 

[Sabretooth]

A little off topic but CMV related- I always wonder why I see so many big rigs greatly exceeding the speed limit while loaded but almost every time I see a bob tail (no trailer) he is just motoring along at the speed limit or below nice and safe??

You cannot believe the ride when you are bobtailin it is completely a different vehicle that does not handle, ride or anything the same as even deadheadin. I never liked when I had to go to jobs to move trailers or just bring one back just for the reason that I had to do it going there with nothing.

 

[two_bit_score]

Wow not one post about this coincidence Can anyone tell me why they picked these dates?.

Maybe this
Just about 30yrs ago Noon on the 7th of June :thumbsup:

That sounds like as good a reason as any!

What most people don't realize about Texas is that most Tx DPS troopers apply common sense. Unlike what might be found in other states. I have had a lot of experience with Tx DPS and I've never heard a trooper brag about trolling parking lots looking for farm tag violations.

 

[JB4310]

Commercial truck safety is a specialty, the average trooper is not gonna know what he's looking at.

They took my old timer friend off the road, He was pulling a 10 ton tag trailer and 510 TLB with his old Mack 6 wheel dump, At 77 years old, the same as he has been doing all his life.

There were so many violations they had to flat bed everything off the road even his flatbed. luckily he has plenty of friends with heavy equipment that came to his aid. This guy has never had an accident his entire life, but times are changing and it's hard to keep 30-40 year old equipment in compliance.
He took it well, laughing about it saying maybe it's time to retire, which he's been saying for years.

JB.

 

[texasjohn]

Well, I live 1 mile off of I35 and make the round trip from Jarrell to Round Rock, about 25 miles, almost every day. Every trip I see from 3 to 5 DPS vehicles with someone pulled over. Early, late, day, night, it doesn't matter... always numerous vehicles getting DPS flashing light attention. Never can figure out why, but cars, trucks, pickups, trailers seem to be included with impunity. Haven't seen a bus pulled over that I can recall. Almost never see a trooper just sitting there...they are always chasing someone down, writing a ticket or warning, or sitting there finishing paperwork with lights still flashing.

I can't imagine a yet further level of increased level of surveillance over what is already in place.

 

[two_bit_score]

Well, I live 1 mile off of I35 and make the round trip from Jarrell to Round Rock, about 25 miles, almost every day. Every trip I see from 3 to 5 DPS vehicles with someone pulled over. Early, late, day, night, it doesn't matter... always numerous vehicles getting DPS flashing light attention. Never can figure out why, but cars, trucks, pickups, trailers seem to be included with impunity. Haven't seen a bus pulled over that I can recall. Almost never see a trooper just sitting there...they are always chasing someone down, writing a ticket or warning, or sitting there finishing paperwork with lights still flashing.

I can't imagine a yet further level of increased level of surveillance over what is already in place.

I know that stretch well and there s a lot of activity there. Just a good spot because of some good 'hideout' spots with long stretches of open road. Traffic is always flowing at 80+ along there. Also, it's in Wilco so you have the 'hang em high' mentality.

Believe me there are many stretches that don't get that much attention. Between Austin and San Antonio there is really only one spot DPS works hard, just north of New braunfels. sometimes around Kyle but I really think the traffic is just too heavy and the on- off too difficult to make it as good a sweet spot as the area you mention. Even 37 between SA and Corpus Christi doesn't get as much attention as that area of Wilco.

I had to take DDC for a ticket I got from a local cop recently just off 35. It was opening day at the Legislature and I had just left the Capitol and was going to stop at Cabellas at the last minute and got a ticket for ten over on the street to Cabellas. He asked me who I worked for and I could see it cross his mind to make it a warning but he though better and I just did the DDC. He was very polite and professional. Pretty sure we will cross paths and be on the same side the next time.

I try not to speed but when you drive across Texas as much as I do you are going to get stopped occasionally. I am thankful whenever professional courtesy is extended.