A Scary 3 Seconds

[kelLOGg]

I was delivering a load of red oak lumber on my trailer to a customer. Driving up a fairly busy 2 lane residential street, I noticed an unmarked police car completely off the road with its blue interior light flashing and a car it had apparently pulled over. As I approached the unmarked car, it pulled out onto the street in front of me with no warning. I slammed on brakes, skidded about 30 feet; the driver probably heard the very loud skidding and immediately pulled off the road. Disaster was avoided but we exchanged glaring looks when I passed but he did not pull me over. If he had, he would be hard-pressed to make a case against me plus there were lots of potential witnesses. He was in plain clothes so I guess he was a detective. Fortunately, my load was well secured and did not shift and the skid marks showed the skid was straight-lined. Whew! I took my truck and trailer to a shop to get a 2nd opinion on their road-worthiness and to catch any potential problems. Carrying a load I cannot be too safe and I want a wide safety margin. FYI.
Bob

[ESFted]

Here in VA they are strictly enforcing a law that requires you to change lanes if possible or drastically slow down when approaching/passing a police vehicle on the side of the road.  It's an attempt to keep what you just described from happening and protect everyone on the road from serious accidents.   

NC has the same type of law.  The blue light flashing was your signal.  $250 fine and court costs.
https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,000014,000766,000781

[kelLOGg]

It was one lane in each direction and the heavy traffic was already slowed below the posted 35mph.

[samandothers]

Glad you avoided that meeting in the road.

[starmac]

I am not following, you took it to the shop to get a second opinion of what??

[Ljohnsaw]

Here in VA they are strictly enforcing a law that requires you to change lanes if possible or drastically slow down when approaching/passing a police vehicle on the side of the road.  It's an attempt to keep what you just described from happening and protect everyone on the road from serious accidents.   

NC has the same type of law.  The blue light flashing was your signal.  $250 fine and court costs.
https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,000014,000766,000781

Out here, the law states that you EITHER have to slow to 10 mph lower than the posted speed OR move over 1 lane (if available).  And it goes for ANY vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road.  Was put in place mainly for the tow truck operators - we were losing about 1 a month around Sacramento.

[Kbeitz]

Yep....
I just got a fine for that.
I did slow down but they said not slow enough.
Took it to court and lost.
Just a way for the countys to make more money.
I was not happy....

[sawguy21]

It is there for a reason. Too many tow truck operators, leo's, flag persons etc getting hurt or killed by drivers who won't slow down and heed the warnings. I have worked traffic control, it can get downright scary.
Having said that, the cop kelLOGg was dealing with also has to take responsibility, that badge and light do not make him immune from the laws of physics. It is up to him to ensure he can enter traffic safely.

[coppolajc10]

keLOGg glad nothing bad happened.

Just a way for the countys to make more money.
I was not happy....

    tell that to the guy getting run over

[kelLOGg]

I am not following, you took it to the shop to get a second opinion of what??

that the truck and trailer are safe and roadworthy when towing a load.

[taylorsmissbeehaven]

Glad everything worked out for you Bob. It is scary working in traffic no matter what side of the badge your on. Good thing you were paying attention and secured your load. Job well done, Brian

[DanG]

You were smart to get your rig checked out after that incident.  Some years ago, I was hauling logs to Moultrie, Ga. for the folks from Peterson and D&L to use to demo their sawmills at the Expo.  Shortly before I got to Moultrie, an old man pulled out in front of me and I had to stand on the brakes really hard.  I proceeded on, right through the middle of downtown in heavy traffic, and out to the expo grounds in even heavier traffic.  I was off the highway and on the access road when I suddenly had no brakes at all on the truck. Had I not had trailer brakes, I would have rammed into a row of parked cars.  I had blown out the seal in a front caliper, which leaked some fluid every time I braked until the master cylinder ran dry.  Fortunately, I was among friends and Woodbowl took me to town for a new caliper and helped me replace it.  You should check for leaks under your vehicle pretty soon after any panic stop.

As a side note:  You should also proofread your posts before posting them.  Had I not done so on this one, I would have looked like a real jackass!  :D :D :D  (Disclaimer: It isn't that I don't sometimes look like a jackass anyway, but I don't need to make it any worse!  ;) )

[WoodenHead]

I'm glad nothing more serious happened!  It sounds similar to the accident I was in this past spring.  Unfortunately I was already almost beside the Ministry of Transportation vehicle (similar to DOT) when they decided to pull out.  No lights, no turn signal signifying that they want to pull into traffic, let alone do a U-turn.  I was hit on the passenger side and suffered a concussion.  I'm still trying to get over it and can only work a couple hours a day (with difficulty).  I've sawn about 1000bdft in 3 months, but not for the lack of trying or needing to (I'm almost finished with customer orders and have turned away many others). 

Be very thankful nothing more serious happened!  Stay safe.     

[dboyt]

It is all too easy to become complacent about securing the load or checking the brakes.  When I first started using a trailer with electric brakes, I practiced hitting the controller until I could do so without looking, and I still practice, just to make sure I can do it on reflexes.  Glad all is well with you.  WoodenHead, I hope you have a full recovery.  Be patient and give yourself time to heal.

[kelLOGg]

If I towed my trailer everyday I'm afraid I would become complacent. As it is, every time I take it out I check the brake lights, turn signal and breakaway kit. Then I check that the trailer brakes will stop the rig.


DanG, good to hear from you again. I've been missing your input.
Bob

[Kbeitz]

I got a good story.
I was moving a textile factory and my drive was a few hours away.
So every time I would leave the house I would check out the brakes real good.
So after my morning test I was on my way. About one mile from my home I
could tell that my trailer brake quit working. So back to the house I go.
I called in to the job and said I would be late that I had to find my problem.
I just hate trouble shooting electrical wiring on trailers. But I got started.
About 2 hours of trouble shooting I found a wire cut under the trailer back beside
one of the axles. Soldered and taped and I was on my way. First thing I did was
to test my brakes. Worked great. Again about one mile from home I lost my
brakes again. Back home I go... Another 30 min to find my problem. The wire
again was cut in the same spot. I though what did I hit on the road to cut my wire?
I fixed it and away I went .... Same mile and again same problem. This time I watched
the road for anything that could have cut my wire... Nothing ???
So I was laying under my trailer looking at the cut wire wondering what was happening.
How I missed it I have no idea, but on one side of my axle there was no U-clamp.
It was gone... Only one side of the axle was fastened to the trailer's and the axle was
turning ripping the wire of. How the thing kept from ripping off the trailer and
going into the second axle I'll never know. I'm sure glad I found this before I was
on interstate I-80 with a load.

[edkemper]

Just a note as to who should be watching whom.

We buried my sister. She had pulled out of a train station just as a cop, driving 80-100 mph down the main street of town, not chasing anyone or involved in a chase, with only his rear facing amber lights flashing.

Watching for traffic and being safe is a two way street.