You do your absolute best to get your truck looking nice. All the chicken lights and chrome are there. Best of all, it was done your way. Whether or not it’s a truck you own or a company truck where the company gives you rights to do changes, that’s YOUR ride, it depicts you as a professional, and that truck is perfect. So, now why are you on the side of the road with some sheriff’s deputy with no DOT credentials telling you that they do it differently in their state????
One of my drivers had this exact issue in Georgia last night, McIntosh County to be exact. See, he has extra lights, extra red lights to be exact. FEDERAL mandates from the CSA are as follows: as long as they’re not in the immediate front, the immediate back, or the immediate top, they don’t strobe, and you can’t see the diodes, it’s legal. How do I know this? Josh at The Chrome Shop knows DOT regulations on extra red or blue lights. He doesn’t want the drivers getting ticketed when they buy his products, so he learns the law. TCS is the one who sold us our blue air cleaner lights, which have been on, at night, in 45 of the lower 48 states without issue of DOT compliance.
So, why did Mr. Dubley pull my driver over? My thought………….he thought that badge really meant power, and like most simple-minded, small town sheriff’s departments, his supervisor seems to think so too. He questioned the driver like he was a criminal .
Questions asked:
Not all officers are like this. But, the handful of law enforcement that act like Mr. Dubley give a bad taste to the drivers and have the drivers get an unfortunate stigma about them toward law enforcement. There are scale houses, even in California, that I’ll sit and talk to, if the right officer is inside. I’m afraid with more cops emerging out of the woodwork with anti-trucker attitudes, all the good ones will be seen as bad by the truckers that are harassed.
Protect yourself. Have a phone that can record audio or a small recorder. Always record your conversations with law enforcement. If pulled over by someone that is not a DOT enforcement officer, ask for DOT credentials first and foremost. It is MANDATORY the officer have DOT credentials to perform DOT functions with a commercial vehicle. It is well worth your time to wait for a DOT officer in order to protect your rights. Please heed this advice at any traffic stop.
As for McIntosh County, Georgia, I would stay out of it if you could. They aren’t what I consider trucker friendly. I will be discussing with the driver what route to take with them next.
Till next time, be safe.
One of my drivers had this exact issue in Georgia last night, McIntosh County to be exact. See, he has extra lights, extra red lights to be exact. FEDERAL mandates from the CSA are as follows: as long as they’re not in the immediate front, the immediate back, or the immediate top, they don’t strobe, and you can’t see the diodes, it’s legal. How do I know this? Josh at The Chrome Shop knows DOT regulations on extra red or blue lights. He doesn’t want the drivers getting ticketed when they buy his products, so he learns the law. TCS is the one who sold us our blue air cleaner lights, which have been on, at night, in 45 of the lower 48 states without issue of DOT compliance.
So, why did Mr. Dubley pull my driver over? My thought………….he thought that badge really meant power, and like most simple-minded, small town sheriff’s departments, his supervisor seems to think so too. He questioned the driver like he was a criminal .
Questions asked:
- Are you on drugs?
- Are you hauling drugs?
- Has anyone asked you to put something extra in the back of your vehicle or trailer?
- Why don’t you have curtains in your truck?
- How long have you been driving?
- How long have you owned your truck?
- Let me see your log book and medical card
- Do you have anything illegal on or with you?
Not all officers are like this. But, the handful of law enforcement that act like Mr. Dubley give a bad taste to the drivers and have the drivers get an unfortunate stigma about them toward law enforcement. There are scale houses, even in California, that I’ll sit and talk to, if the right officer is inside. I’m afraid with more cops emerging out of the woodwork with anti-trucker attitudes, all the good ones will be seen as bad by the truckers that are harassed.
Protect yourself. Have a phone that can record audio or a small recorder. Always record your conversations with law enforcement. If pulled over by someone that is not a DOT enforcement officer, ask for DOT credentials first and foremost. It is MANDATORY the officer have DOT credentials to perform DOT functions with a commercial vehicle. It is well worth your time to wait for a DOT officer in order to protect your rights. Please heed this advice at any traffic stop.
As for McIntosh County, Georgia, I would stay out of it if you could. They aren’t what I consider trucker friendly. I will be discussing with the driver what route to take with them next.
Till next time, be safe.
Thanks again to one of my favorite heavy haulers, Jeff Lofgren, for the picture!
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