So many cement/gravel trucks on SD roadways (San Diego, El Cajon: houses, construction)

[sdlife619]

Is it me, or do many of you notice the uptick in these trucks? Going to work in the mornings I literally lose count on how many cement, gravel, and other hauling trucks I see on the freeways during my morning commute.

The obvious issue here is they throw small pieces of gravel causing all kinds of rock chips on my windshield, the hood, and the bumper that looks like it’s going to need to be repainted soon.

Where the heck do all these trucks end up anyway? I rarely if ever seen these types of vehicles actually posted up somewhere doing construction or road repair.

The amount of damage that they can cause is understated because eventually windshields are going to have to be replaced on people’s cars from rock chips literally causing visibility problems because of all the distortion chips can cause especially when you have hundreds of them all over.

I just wish something could be done to force these vehicles to seal up their rigs better to prevent flying rocks and cement pieces from damaging drivers vehicles. Even driving at a far distance behind them or trying to avoid them altogether helps a little, but even being in the fast lane or 2 lanes next to these trucks still doesn’t completely spare you from damage as the debris flys all over the place.

Have any of you noticed the increase in these particular trucks/semi’s?

[eastcoastbias]

Originally Posted by sdlife619

Is it me, or do many of you notice the uptick in these trucks? Going to work in the mornings I literally lose count on how many cement, gravel, and other hauling trucks I see on the freeways during my morning commute.

The obvious issue here is they throw small pieces of gravel causing all kinds of rock chips on my windshield, the hood, and the bumper that looks like it’s going to need to be repainted soon.

Where the heck do all these trucks end up anyway? I rarely if ever seen these types of vehicles actually posted up somewhere doing construction or road repair.

The amount of damage that they can cause is understated because eventually windshields are going to have to be replaced on people’s cars from rock chips literally causing visibility problems because of all the distortion chips can cause especially when you have hundreds of them all over.

I just wish something could be done to force these vehicles to seal up their rigs better to prevent flying rocks and cement pieces from damaging drivers vehicles. Even driving at a far distance behind them or trying to avoid them altogether helps a little, but even being in the fast lane or 2 lanes next to these trucks still doesn’t completely spare you from damage as the debris flys all over the place.

Have any of you noticed the increase in these particular trucks/semi’s?

Yes. The city has a historic level of building going on.

I’ve replaced two windshields in the past five years and I’ve had three major tire blowouts in the past decade one I know of was small toolbox out of a work truck - blew two tires. I can’t even keep count of something hard flying and hitting my windshield.

There should be a mandatory cover rule for hauling gravel and other items. What little police presence we have they don’t mind oversized loads of stuff flying out of trucks.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Well, we know what they aren't doing and that is fixing pot holes.

[sdlife619]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

Well, we know what they aren't doing and that is fixing pot holes.

Oh I know right.

Even the mayor Faulconer promised all this money going towards infrastructure improvements for the city and I haven’t seen much of any kind of road repair going on at all. All those chunks of broken concrete and asphalt throws up pieces of it into the air as well. The state increase in the gas tax should also help with repairs, but it’s the same thing like always, the state and local governments raise taxes, yet the public never truly sees the real benefits of it. This is what I have been starting to realize more than ever and it’s just getting worse especially here in CA.


Yes I agree with you EastCoast, just within the past few months I’ve seen way more gravel trucks. Not sure where they’re all going though. I do know many of these companies are located in East County (El Cajon, Lakeside). They are definitely not going to fixing our roads that’s for sure, so it’s obvious it’s for housing construction.

What would help tremendously in preventing gravel damage to people cars is if they used a completely sealed mandated top. I’ve seen those lame tarp looking things they use to try to prevent bigger pieces from flying out, but it’s simply not enough. Unless mass people complain to state officials about this problem, this will continue without any oversight or enforcement.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by sdlife619

Oh I know right.

Even the mayor Faulconer promised all this money going towards infrastructure improvements for the city and I haven’t seen much of any kind of road repair going on at all. All those chunks of broken concrete and asphalt throws up pieces of it into the air as well. The state increase in the gas tax should also help with repairs, but it’s the same thing like always, the state and local governments raise taxes, yet the public never truly sees the real benefits of it. This is what I have been starting to realize more than ever and it’s just getting worse especially here in CA.


Yes I agree with you EastCoast, just within the past few months I’ve seen way more gravel trucks. Not sure where they’re all going though. I do know many of these companies are located in East County (El Cajon, Lakeside). They are definitely not going to fixing our roads that’s for sure, so it’s obvious it’s for housing construction.

What would help tremendously in preventing gravel damage to people cars is if they used a completely sealed mandated top. I’ve seen those lame tarp looking things they use to try to prevent bigger pieces from flying out, but it’s simply not enough. Unless mass people complain to state officials about this problem, this will continue without any oversight or enforcement.

Ziiiing

[malcorub16]

Your best bet is if you see one on the freeway, stay as far away from it as possible. Usually they are in the slow lanes, so keep as far left when passing.

I get annoyed when I see "Not Responsible for broken windshields" posted on the back of these gravel trucks.

Originally Posted by sdlife619

Oh I know right.
Not sure where they’re all going though. I do know many of these companies are located in East County (El Cajon, Lakeside). .

Yup, there are a couple of big rock quarries in Lakeside near San Vicente Dam.

Also, I've been in SD since 2003 and they've been hauling out of Mission Valley as long as I can remember.....where the Civita complex is North of Friars Road.

Carrol Canyon in Mira Mesa is also another area where there has been constant excavating since I've arrived. It's a damn shame, that was a beautiful canyon too replaced by ugly warehouses and business parks.

[sdlife619]

Originally Posted by LuvSouthOC

Ziiiing

Right.

Not to get too political, but I’m afraid with Newsom as our GOV, he’s going
to go on a rampage of tax increases for everything. Of course, as always,
We’ll never see it put to good use.

[sdlife619]

Originally Posted by malcorub16

Your best bet is if you see one on the freeway, stay as far away from it as possible. Usually they are in the slow lanes, so keep as far left when passing.

I get annoyed when I see "Not Responsible for broken windshields" posted on the back of these gravel trucks.



Yup, there are a couple of big rock quarries in Lakeside near San Vicente Dam. Also, I've been in SD since 2003 and they've been hauling out of Mission Valley as long as I can remember.....where the Civita complex is.

Yeah I try to stay as far back as possible, but even then, the gravel is kick up by vehicles in front of me at times.

I guess what will reduce the number of those trucks on the roadways will be less housing and commercial development. San Diego is already becoming maxed out in terms of available developable land, so we’ll see.

[LaJollaEast]

I had to replace 3 windshields on my car in 3 years when I drove 52 east from La Jolla for work.

[sdlife619]

Originally Posted by LaJollaEast

I had to replace 3 windshields on my car in 3 years when I drove 52 east from La Jolla for work.

That sucks I’m sorry to hear that.