Gravel / Concrete Truck Drivers (Howe: buy, closing, taxes)

[wellguy]

I was taught many years ago that there is no one job that is more important than the next and that there are good and bad within every occupation.

With that said why on earth do a majority of those who drive Gravel Trucks and Contrete Trucks have the mindset that they own / control the road?
Living out here is Kallison Ranch and driving Culebra / FM 471 can sometimes be a nightmare. Tailgating, flashing headlights, passing on the shoulder, etc. must be part of their Driver's Training Program. Why are some Gravel Truck Driver's too lazy to cover their loads? Oh wait, I guess they don't have to since they all have a warning sign(NO RESPONSIBLE FOR BROKEN WINDSHEILDS). on the back of their dump gate. Sorry, but we all know this is BS and that you will buy us a new one if you chip /crack it.
As we all know this careless driving happens on all roadways. It does give me a fuzzy feeling when I see one of them pulled over as I'm hoping that their truck is being inspected with a fine tooth comb and their fines / repair costs will be $$$$$.
There have been a couple of fatal accidents on 471 over the past several years in which they were at fault.
If they are getting paid by the load (which I'm certain they are or at least given a bonus to complete a given number of loads per day) it should be outlawed). I know this is a dream since there would probably be no way to prove it.
I can continue to do what I have done in the past which is to ask / request that DPS, SAPD, and BCSO monitor the area.
In closing to those who are at fault.........In 5-7 years I'll be retiring unless I am run off the road by one of you. I certainly don't want to own and operate either a Trucking Company, Gravel Pit, or Contrete Company in my later years. So please slow down, drive as though your job depends upon it, and remember although those trucks pay more road taxes than I do... you do not own the highway.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

I've heard before that the warning sign is just wishful thinking.

[budjb]

There should be a law against stickers that say that.

[DexterCat]

Originally Posted by wellguy

I was taught many years ago that there is no one job that is more important than the next and that there are good and bad within every occupation.

With that said why on earth do a majority of those who drive Gravel Trucks and Contrete Trucks have the mindset that they own / control the road?
Living out here is Kallison Ranch and driving Culebra / FM 471 can sometimes be a nightmare. Tailgating, flashing headlights, passing on the shoulder, etc. must be part of their Driver's Training Program. Why are some Gravel Truck Driver's too lazy to cover their loads? Oh wait, I guess they don't have to since they all have a warning sign(NO RESPONSIBLE FOR BROKEN WINDSHEILDS). on the back of their dump gate. Sorry, but we all know this is BS and that you will buy us a new one if you chip /crack it.

this is 100% false. they are 100% responsible for 'securing their load' when they leave the yard they came from. a sign on the back of your truck does not lift the legal liability you have if rocks/dirt/whatever fall out of your truck and strike someone.

best thing i can suggest is to jot down their plate number, the 800/877 number if one is listed and any other identifying info on their truck. report it to the police and to their boss.

[scuba steve]

The sign doesn't relieve them of any liability they have. However it might scare away the uninformed.

[doss1]

Responsible from objects coming from their truck bed? Yes.

Responsible from objects kicked up from their tires? No.

See how this works? They will claim the windshield chip came from the road/tire, not their load.

[DexterCat]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

Responsible from objects coming from their truck bed? Yes.

Responsible from objects kicked up from their tires? No.

problem is, stuff kicked up from their tires usually comes from stuff dropped from their load... unless youre implying that our roads are that filthy and not maintained properly...

[doss1]

^That's what they want you to fight in court.

[DexterCat]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

^That's what they want you to fight in court.

good luck with that. i see your point though. the companies are forgetting one thing though: roads are maintained by the city. the city isnt going to say 'oh yeah our roads are full of rocks and debris, its all our fault'.

far from it, they will deflect the blame (where it rightly belongs) onto the truck company who hired the incompetent moron who cant be bothered to secure his load.

[wellguy]

Once I learned (years ago) that the signage was not valid I came to the conclusion it was a way to intimidate someone who did end up with damage. They would see the signage and more than likely feel as if there was no recourse.

I have always wondered (and it's my fault for not inquiring) why Law Enforcement, TDOT, etc. allow the signage.