The Notch: Ohio Version

Just want to relate an experience I had in Ohio last week in case it might help other new drivers.

I was going through Massillon about mid day. Following my navigation when I came to a stoplight. There were only two ways to go from this light, straight ahead or left. I was supposed to go straight but there was a prominent sign that said No Trucks. It looked like there was road work up ahead, but no temporary detour route sign was posted. So I had to turn left. Right away my navigation thought I had gone off route and also thought I was a NASCAR driver. “1/2 mile, turn left, then 1 mile, turn left, then 3/4 mile, turn left”

You see what was happening? I was being directed right back to the problem intersection. So, I found a place to pull over and checked out the satellite view of the area. I couldn’t identify a sure-fire route around the detour that I was confident in.

So, I called the local police department non-emergency number and explained my problem to a very nice dispatcher. She was familiar with the local road system and kept me on the phone while she directed me around the construction until my navigation program picked up on my route again.

She also told me that it was good I called in, as the police had to have officers back out a truck the day before because the driver ignored the no-trucks sign.

Just to make a long story endless, don’t be afraid to ask for police assistance when you get in a bind and can’t figure it out on your own.

BK, as a (happily) former dispatcher who knew I'd be making the career switch at some point, it always made my day when a driver called in and I got to help them out with directions, or parking options, etc.

I'm sure some drivers would run out of fuel driving in circles before they thought to not follow their gps/routing!

Good call on getting ahold of local authorities to avoid a potentially bad situation but let me also add this. Over and over on this site, proper trip planning is emphasized, especially for unfamiliar locations. On my side of the industry and previously in heavy haul, we go to many locations that are off the beaten path and require us to travel down roads which are weight restricted, non truck routes and rural residential areas. Locating the customer, identifying it with the tools we have available and a quick phone call ahead of time can avoid many of these headaches. That being said, you did the right thing.