Truck Inspections

G-Town and Old School, I totally agree with you guys. The responsibility is on the driver to inspect the entire rig and inform the company of any defects. There were several times I had trailer defects that I reported to the company and then I was assigned to another trailer. (both times a flat trailer tire ) I was just saying that this was rare because Schneider always responded to the DVIR, if there was a problem they would get it fixed. I think most companies rely on their drivers to report defects, and then they arrange to get them fixed. My point is that the trucking industry in general is very concerned about vehicle maintenance, and doesn't want to have a DOT impoundment of their equipment. I'm sorry if I misspoke.

Thanks all for the information. To be completely honest, I didn't put much stock into the people "talking smack" about their previous employers. But there were multiple over less than a week.

I hope to only deal with reputable companies that can consistently keep their equipment in good working order. Hope being the key word. Also good info to know regarding smaller companies should I decide to be an o/o in a few years.

JC you are contradicting yourself; both here and the other thread you initiated.

Please stop putting any validity or credence in what disgruntled drivers claim about poorly maintained trucks.

As the driver, it’s your decision whether you drive a truck with mechanical issues. If you choose to drive the truck knowing it would not pass an inspection, you then are responsible and accountable for what happens, including any citations issued.

JC you are contradicting yourself; both here and the other thread you initiated.

Please stop putting any validity or credence in what disgruntled drivers claim about poorly maintained trucks.

As the driver, it’s your decision whether you drive a truck with mechanical issues. If you choose to drive the truck knowing it would not pass an inspection, you then are responsible and accountable for what happens, including any citations issued.

And this includes criminal & civil liability for accidents that occur as a result.

As with anything that could potentially resemble a company telling you to drive in an unsafe manner (or operate a vehicle that is unsafe) - communicate these concerns IN WRITING on your QC (or whatever device used). "Hey Dispatch/Safety - I believe this defect I discovered in my PTI, as noted in my DVIR, makes this vehicle unsafe to operate. Can you please send road service or direct me to the nearest repair facility?".

Some of the "stories" we've heard recently: one member who couldn't pass his airbrake test @ DMV because his PRIVATE TRUCKING SCHOOL wasn't repairing the truck properly - and another who was working for a very small company that operated with safety issues because he had to get the truck to home base, and his owner couldn't immediately afford the repair (or used "used parts") - are NOT EXAMPLES of how large reputable companies maintain their fleets.

Safety complaints from drivers ARE NOT IGNORED - nor should the driver "make the choice" to operate a rig that he knows to be unsafe FOR ANY REASON.

Rick

Please rely on those here with experience but... you may also want to look into the PrePass program.

Any company (and this includes most if not all of the "Mega Carriers") which partipates in this program have "well above average" safety and weight/load compliance records or they would not be allowed to participate. In a sense, your employer relies on you to properly do your job (PTI, securement, weight distribution, etc.) to help keep them eligible to save the time and money this program makes possible.

Prepass Program

PrePass is a weigh station bypass platform provided by PrePass Safety Alliance. It allows qualified motor carriers that comply with safety, weight and credentials requirements to bypass weigh stations and ports-of-entry at highway speeds, saving them time, fuel and money. HELP also offers PrePass Plus, a nationwide toll payment and management service, and INFORM, a suite of fleet management data tools.

JC, look at this link from the FMCSA regarding inspections (copy/paste couldnt get it to work properly) https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx . I'll use Swift once again as an example due to all the trash online about them. Swift transportation co of Arizona llc

According to the site I linked (but didnt screenshot) Swift has 20,000 drivers operating 16,000 power units. In the last 24 months they have had 19,000 vehicle inspections with 2700 having had defects bad enough to put them out of service. That's still quite a bit but much lower than the national average as a percentage. The company I drive for has 167 drivers with 145 power units. Over the last 2 years have had 75 inspections and NONE have been put them out of service. Does that mean we are better than Swift? Certainly not, if we had that many drivers we would be bound to get some drivers who dont get equipment fixed as needed. It all comes down to drivers reporting issues. These companies can save money by addressing a mechanical issue and fixing it before it gets worse and breaks something more expensive, and in some cases avoid accidents. It's in everyones best interest for repairs to be reported so they can be done at a shop rather than the shoulder of the interstate. Swift gets a bad wrap due to the amount of trucks they have on the roads. Feel free to use that link to look up the companies you were told were real bad.

This was not meant as criticism of swift, I chose them due to being one of the largest carriers and having the most FALSE garbage about them online.

Most drivers who complain about their companies not fixing things are the same ones who will not report it because they don’t want to take the time to get it fixed.

Remember it is up to the driver to decide if the vehicle is safe to drive, if they knowingly drive a unsafe vehicle they can be held criminally responsible if something happens.

Lol Rick S, yes and the dumb thing of not fixing the equipment,,,,is,the owner has multiple businesses,,,, aside from this "school" An Indian restraunt, a KFC or 2 , a part of Landstar truck outfit, to name a few...... recently he bought 1 of his daughters a 2019 Corvette, which she did not want, so he kept it for himself. She wanted n got a Beamer lol

Yet put in a new windshield ,,which wasn't really wasn't critical, and the clutch is now near top of the pedal engaging (needs adjustment) I've told him numerous times this truck used for DMV just needs a new governor on it... When max air psi "was" 115 last week, now it's 110 He was agreeing, then he says "Oh it's a Volvo, I can't change it" pfft ANY governor is replaceable DUHHHH

Same for mechanics Bobcat Bob, I had to condemn a car or 2 in my day at the Ford dealer.....Customers bring in cars with NO brakes left, after a quote (not that expensive) They'd decline to have repairs made, so the only way their car's left the shop were on a tow truck !! I'll be damned I'd let them "drive" it out,,, and then me being liable if n when they crashed, I don't think so ! lol They weren't too happy but oh well!

By clicking further you can see the number of to violations out of all those inspections and you will see that a lot of those could have been avoided had the driver done a proper inspection just a sample of those below Vehicle Maint. Violations: 11,006

393.9 Inoperable Required Lamp 1,052 154 2 393.75(a)(3) Tire-flat and/or audible air leak 737 728 8 393.47(e) Clamp or Roto type brake out-of-adjustment 632 1 4 96.3(a)(1) Inspection, repair and maintenance of parts & accessories 528 60 2 396.3A1BL Brake system pressure loss 472 75 4 393.9H Inoperable head lamps 439 5 6 393.45 Brake tubing and hose adequacy 366 240 4 396.3A1B Brakes (general) Explain: 336 44 4 393.95(a) No/discharged/unsecured fire extinguisher 297 0 2 393.9TS Inoperative turn signal 281 137 6

JC, look at this link from the FMCSA regarding inspections (copy/paste couldnt get it to work properly) https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx . I'll use Swift once again as an example due to all the trash online about them. Swift transportation co of Arizona llc

According to the site I linked (but didnt screenshot) Swift has 20,000 drivers operating 16,000 power units. In the last 24 months they have had 19,000 vehicle inspections with 2700 having had defects bad enough to put them out of service. That's still quite a bit but much lower than the national average as a percentage. The company I drive for has 167 drivers with 145 power units. Over the last 2 years have had 75 inspections and NONE have been put them out of service. Does that mean we are better than Swift? Certainly not, if we had that many drivers we would be bound to get some drivers who dont get equipment fixed as needed. It all comes down to drivers reporting issues. These companies can save money by addressing a mechanical issue and fixing it before it gets worse and breaks something more expensive, and in some cases avoid accidents. It's in everyones best interest for repairs to be reported so they can be done at a shop rather than the shoulder of the interstate. Swift gets a bad wrap due to the amount of trucks they have on the roads. Feel free to use that link to look up the companies you were told were real bad.

This was not meant as criticism of swift, I chose them due to being one of the largest carriers and having the most FALSE garbage about them online.