I Did A Bad Thing

Topic 32831 | Page 3

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BK's Comment
member avatar

So my strategy will be to be honest and straightforward with the judge. This incident was totally my fault, not the fault of the policeman who pulled me over or the signage or some other technicality. I simply made a mistake that I’m now facing the consequences for. It was not characteristic of me or my driving, but I did the crime and now I have to do the time. Hopefully, the judge will see that this mistake isn’t so egregious that I need to be taken off the road. Court date will be sometime in March, so until then I will just try to learn from this experience.

Deleted Account's Comment
member avatar

One thing that may be beneficial is how many years since your last ticket. Also find out how many miles you've driven in a commercial vehicle without issues. The biggest thing is proving that despite this ticket you are a very safe driver. We all make mistakes, some bigger than others, but not all mistakes are worth losing an otherwise safe, law abiding driver off the road over. You were ticketed at what the previous speed limit was. To me, that shows your intent wasn't to break the law and with that lower speed appearing to only be for 2 blocks I believe you that you simply didn't see it.

Please keep us updated on how this all plays out Bruce.

BK's Comment
member avatar

I received a lot of helpful advice about my issue. Special thanks to Rob T.

My attorney just told me that the city prosecutor is willing to amend the charge to 14 over. This would prevent me from getting fired, so it’s better than nothing. Still, a 14 over looks pretty bad. I had hoped for a better deal. My belief is that I missed the 15 mph sign because there was a diesel pickup truck in front of me blowing large amounts of black smoke from his tail pipes as we proceeded on the street. I know this black smoke is from incomplete combustion of diesel fuel and I don’t know how these guys produce this smoke, but I’ve seen guys do this just because they think it’s funny. Whether this pickup driver was doing it on purpose, I don’t know.

My question is this : Should I accept the deal for a 1 mph reduction of the citation? Or, should I go to my court date before the judge and explain my side of the story in hopes of getting a better outcome? If it makes any difference, the judge is not an attorney, he’s what is called a “lay” judge and my attorney tells me he’s a decent man.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

Accept it and don't do it again. DUH!

BK's Comment
member avatar

Accept it and don't do it again. DUH!

Thanks, PackRat. Can I use DUH for my CB handle?thank-you.gif

CB Handle:

This is the nickname people use on the CB

Ryan B.'s Comment
member avatar

Take the deal. If you go into that courtroom and face this decent judge talking about black smoke obscured the sign, he's not going to see you as someone who is taking responsibility. He is likely to see you as just another driver trying to pass the blame onto someone else. Even if you go in there telling the judge how you understand that you were in the wrong and have no excuses, what reason is there to lower the speed of the citation? Don't tempt fate and accept it not being 15 mph over as a win because it is a win for you.

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

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Accept it and don't do it again. DUH!

double-quotes-end.png

Thanks, PackRat. Can I use DUH for my CB handle?thank-you.gif

Sure! If you can't pay attention to road signs, then by all means feel free.

CB Handle:

This is the nickname people use on the CB

BK's Comment
member avatar

double-quotes-start.png

double-quotes-start.png

double-quotes-start.png

Accept it and don't do it again. DUH!

double-quotes-end.png

double-quotes-end.png

Thanks, PackRat. Can I use DUH for my CB handle?thank-you.gif

double-quotes-end.png

Sure! If you can't pay attention to road signs, then by all means feel free.

Ok, great. Now I have to decide between Old Yeller and Duh. Decisions, decisions.

CB Handle:

This is the nickname people use on the CB

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

double-quotes-start.png

double-quotes-start.png

double-quotes-start.png

double-quotes-start.png

double-quotes-start.png

double-quotes-start.png

Accept it and don't do it again. DUH!

double-quotes-end.png

double-quotes-end.png

double-quotes-end.png

Thanks, PackRat. Can I use DUH for my CB handle?thank-you.gif

double-quotes-end.png

double-quotes-end.png

Sure! If you can't pay attention to road signs, then by all means feel free.

double-quotes-end.png

Ok, great. Now I have to decide between Old Yeller and Duh. Decisions, decisions.

Use this combination:

"DELLOW"

CB Handle:

This is the nickname people use on the CB

Deleted Account's Comment
member avatar

No problem Bruce. I would also take the deal. It's still not ideal but atleast it will allow you to keep your job. It also gets knocked down so it isn't considered a serious (according to FMCSA) offense risking the loss of your CDL privileges that have stiffer penalties for multiple infractions.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
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