Got Busted Going 21 Over, Down The Grapevine.

Hello fellow drivers, been driving for 2 yrs. Aside from the reckless driving ticket in question, I have a spotless DAC/MVR. My breaks got hot, and I was costing, in an empty lane to cool them off. I know, I know... "what the $%#@ was you thinking?!" ...guess I wasn't. Current company has informed me that, if the ticket doesn't get reduced to 14 over or less (no longer reckless driving, just speeding) then I'll be made available to the industry. My question is this: if I do in fact, get charged for reckless driving (good possibility in California) am I out of the game for 3 years? Or is there a company that will look at my previous 20 months of clean driving and give me the benefit of a doubt? (Citation given in August, court date is in November) I'd prefer to stay with flatbed freight. Note: Western Express is off the table, I can't be rehired.

Reckless driving in a CMV will be a tough obstacle to overcome.

then I'll be made available to the industry. 

I'm not sure what that means.

Note: Western Express is off the table, I can't be rehired.

Why not? This may contribute greatly to your issues.

Get an attorney to get it reduced or traffic school.

Traffic school is no longer an option once you obtain a cdl. Keep that in mind.

You may find a smaller mom and pop outfit that will give you a chance but the major carriers are probably going to be out of reach for a while. Apply anyway. They can't say yes if you don't try.

Get an attorney to get it reduced or traffic school.

A friend of mine who has been driving about 7 years crashed his truck at the start of this year, got a few tickets such as reckless driving, driving to fast for conditions and one more I believe. He was hired at Swift a few short months later. That doesnt mean they would hire you, since I'm sure like most companies they take it on a case by case basis.

HIRE A LAWYER - FIGHT THE TICKET.

Hire a lawyer and fight EVERY TICKET. Whatever they cost - it will cost much more to be "made available to the industry" (a nice way of saying FIRED).

Pray you get it reduced or dismissed. 21 over the limit in a CMV is a SERIOUS OFFENSE. Depending on the state of licensure, you may even get a SUSPENSION for it.

So FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.

Rick

Fight it with a lawyer because it will cost less than your career in the short term.

21 mph coming down Grapevine Hill?!?!? If I recall, truck speed limit on that 4 lane is 45 or 50 mph....Got to pay better attention, especially with two years experience. A true learning experience for anyone reading this. You slow down before starting down the hill. Lower gear, greatly reduced speed, jake brake, 4 way flashers on. The greater the weight, the slower you keep it. I see the CHP monitoring the traffic on that stretch nearly every trip.

Tejon is actually 35mph, which frankly is ridiculous with modern trucks. It's a 5 mile 6% grade. Then again this fella said he overheated his brakes on it.

As everyone else said, get a lawyer. You don't want reckless on your record. They will get it reduced.

Yeah that is a 35 mph downgrade on the valley side, I’m not sure if the LA side is the same or not. I’ve slept since then. Everytime I go out there I see someone that heated their brakes. Happens alot. It seems like it takes forever to descend, but CHP watches it like a hawk and writes tons of tickets through there. Get a lawyer and if there is nothing else other than the speed they will probably cut it in half. I’ve seen it before. BUT if there are any other violations on that cite you can forget the reduction.