Hand adjusting spotlight a must for any truck!

[cdltpx]

I no longer work for logex but when I did we had these lights and I used them all the time. The light is right there it is literally closer than the horn just a turn of the wrist and you have another tool for improved sight and communication.
If you train yourself to use them they are faster than any horn and affect exactly who you need to converse with. (a horn blow at a truck stop can wake sleeping drivers not good) If you have a four-wheeler try to pull in front of you hit them with light fast and first they will stop if they want to live (had to do that one night). Because you know we can't stop or turn with a liquid tanker without a plan because we will roll over..............just because Sir Lateness is running behind we can't roll the truck over because they will have a bad start. I know a driver that rolled over rather than hit the offender and he regrets it. That driver’s life was forever altered.

One night I used it to stop a large doe in her tracks she was heading right in front of the truck at a full trot running 90 degrees to the interstate. The instant I hit her with the light she froze about 3 foot prior to her death and maybe mine deer strikes can be deadly.

If there is a brake check on the interstate I point the light skyward and wave it left and right skyward real quick to tell other motorists that are to the rear, "we have a hazardous situation here slowing down". I do this first then broadcast a channel 19 brake check remember light is the fastest medium faster than electricity, sound, radio waves you name it light is 186k ft per second.

Hauling hazmat we stop at RR Xing at night I’ll spotlight the RRX sign to the right first and then shine it skyward this is visible for about a mile I guess maybe more communicating effectively that I am one of those drivers that follow the law and will come to a full stop. I would use my judgment in those cases but this is just where a DOT officer can/will observe from far away. A driver making a $10k error and gig you taking your license for 6 months. There are police out there that will do this.
The stop at a RRX law in some places is absurd and out right criminal to insist we stop; if you have a mile visibility and can easily see there is no train for a mile and the speed limit is 55+ by law you still have to come to a complete stop, it is not based with any common sense the motorists that is not aware of the law or simply forgets that law expect you to motor on some tankers do. In Baton Rouge we had a crash just like this but the other driver was a dump truck that had crashed into a fuel tanker big fire and loss of life. The sick thing is these things sometimes happen in broad daylight and when if it weren’t for the law those people would live.

At truck stops at night you use it to show your path usually the fuel island far away from the building ("I like to get fuel way out there with the card then loop around to go to the store I find it faster that way and you avoid getting hydrocarbons on your shoes") you wish to take avoiding collisions with trucks use to flying through, they will see this and perhaps realize oh he is going there and slow it down or speed it up knowing what your objective is too many truck stops are not well marked and allow for severe errors if both are not sure of the others objective some come just to park shower sleep others just for fuel.

[Porchclimber]

I wouldn't be putting a spotlight in other drivers eyes if I were you.
If an accident is ever caused by that you could be in deep ca-ca.

[Crash935]

True story told by my dad just last while we were playing follow the leader.

Hes all alone, going one direction on a divided highway late at night, along comes 1 car going the other way with its high beams on, he flashes the car a few times and then grabs his big ole spotlight and lights the car up, took that cop about 30 seconds to get turned around to pull him over. Cop asks "why he got hit with the spot light", dad asked "why didnt you dim your high beams", cops tells him he was "looking for something in the median", dad tells him "so was i", cop let him "luckily".

[Blacksheep]

I now work for logex we have these lights and I use them all the time. The light is right there when you need it just a turn of the wrist and you have another tool for improved sight and communication.
Train yourself to use them because they are faster than any horn if you have a four wheeler try to pull in front of you hit them with light fast and first they will stop if they want to live.
One night I used it to stop a large doe in her tracks she was heading right in front of the truck.
If there is a brake check I point the light skyward and wave it left and right to tell other motorists we have a hazardous situation here I do this first then broadcast a channel 19 brake check remember light is the fastest medium faster than electricity,sound ,radio waves you name it.
Hauling hazmat we stop at RR Xing I spot the RRX sign and then shine it skyward this is visible for a mile or more communicating effectively.
At truck stops you use it to show your path you wish to take avoiding collisions with trucks flying through, they will see this and slow it down well in advance of a close call.

Sounds like a kid with a new toy, use a little common sense when you go to shinning that light on anyone.
You might get a unwanted reaction from someone.

[cdltpx]

I never shine it toward another vehicle 8) unless we are going to be in a collision the afore mentioned use was; if they pull in front of a truck that is traveling 25+ and they blow past that stop sign meant for them.

Tankers don’t swerve they roll over all I can do is alert and slow to minimize the affect of impact if you go there I feel for you but we will swap paint I refuse to roll the truck to avoid a collision ,a collision is not the worse case scenario.

There is no faster way to alert :idea: the other driver of impending potential disaster. :idea: Light is spoken of in fps (foot per second) sound is measured in mph an air horn :!: takes more time than a light .In the truck cab the light is closer to hand than the air horn. What if the other driver is deaf or under the influence of mega bass stereo system, the light is in my opinion better suited for certain task. Please don’t read in more than is stated. Earlier comments are all non-offensive practical ways to use this device. Yes it was a new toy/tool but it bears mentioning so their lives and our reputations can be saved and improved.

[One]

I like the idea- how much are they and how hard are they to install?

[cdltpx]

You can buy them on line but I have no clue how to install one properly there are those little places like pep boys that install vihicle add ons. If there is a will there is a law suit. Only kidding call around you will find one to install.

[Twilight Flyer]

Be aware that the light is also a major distraction and if an accident occurs because of that distraction (as in pointing it skyward and waving it back and forth, causing people to focus on the light and miss the fact that they should be slowing down), you'll be out of a job and on the hook for lawsuits.

[Fozzy]

spot lights make great targets! 8)

[cdltpx]

That is like saying a person crashed because you had four way flashers on and took their attention from the road funny enough that happens all the time a pretty woman is on the side of the road fixing a flat and pow :!: blam crash both sides sig alert. If you drive the smith system you never have close calls let alone collisions I keep my distance and always have an out. If you look you see the opposite side slow down you better look out the hazard could be on your side just the other side of the next hill.
I rarely see what is going on the side of the road this is the time to pay additional attention to others. Look at what I wrote in the past you get in situations where you the truck is in a position where flashers cant be seen in time the light in the sky is a way of saying “something is going on down here you might want to slow down” every time I have had to use it in this manner that is just what happened; others were alerted to a hazard slowed and no crashes. This is why drivers are reluctant to use a cb radio there are folks out there that just start crap-creating noise cb is a good tool but it too is an abused toy.
All too often drivers are preoccupied with distractions in the car or truck and every little way of communication can help as long as you don’t use it to blind drivers and use your head and are polite.
I think most places the speed limit is too high in reality it isn’t the speed that is causing collisions it is inattention but how do you enforce inattention. When I am driving if anything is seen as a hazard down the road you slow down even if it is only 5 mph at a time you do so until you realize it is safe to pump it back up to cruising speed. When I am driving I look over a mile ahead just to see if brake lights come on even for a second it is what you do to remain safe. In our drugged up society it is a wonder they can even make it to the corned store Xanax, Prozac, valium, ADD, Manic depression, Bipolar and they can’t pay attention to the road it is too much of a task. Life is good if you make it good we can be happy when we get this or that seldom do you hear I am happy with what I have. Folks use to go camping a lot now we need all the bells and whistles all the time read a book you can get more fulfillment from it.

[Twilight Flyer]

And just how many people know that when you are waving your high-powered spotlight in the air, you are signaling an accidnet? Very, very few.

The point I was making is that a high-powered spotlight is a distraction and can and WILL put you on the hook for damages and legal action if it is thought that it caused an accident. If you don't believe me, ask any prosecuting attorney if that can get you in a heap of trouble.

[cdltpx]

I don’t know the specs but it is no where near a million candle power it is about as bright as a high beam the light is designed to spot things maybe 2 truck lengths max.
True some may argue any point to the tune of a million dollar insurance claim but if we lived in that way we would never leave the house we would be too afraid to do a thing. I have had to use the light in this way 3 times it is a tool to use in this manner it is saying brake check.
We need more law enforcement not more litigation. The things I see others do is criminal but I seek to drive the truck that is all. The police will either collect the revenue or recover the bodies. Any more on this will be useless. I see you are a moderator I hope you will moderate righteously. I just got my snail mail popular science it is a good magazine practical thinking positive thoughts party on :rock:

[Rev.Vassago]

The last thing that you should be doing if someone is pulling out in front of you is playing with a spotlight.

[Maniac]

Well those spotlights usuallly on last a year or 2, there is a little brass gear in the handle that WILL strip out, and another gear where the light pivots to spin around.

They WERE standard equip on KW's in the early to late 80's.

All 3 of my previous KW's had them and after about 2 years they stopped moving, they would pretty much weld themselve into position, and become useless.

It was an option when I bought this one in 1999, one of the few options I thought I could do without.

[cdltpx]

Maniac you are correct I have encountered lights that have gotten stiff. Others have claimed it was due to the salt build up from driving on salted roads.

Next time someone runs a stop signI will not be playing with a spot light as you put it. I’ll just do as the other tank truck Driver did about 3 months ago on highway 30, he was assaulted by a drunk driver driving a small ford ranger while running a stop sign; it him hit him, as a result of the impact to his tandems, lost control, went head on with the tractor trailer in the opposing lane forcing that truck off of the road that flat bed lost his load shutting down the road for hours. My friend has a slip disk hasn't driven since. The alcoholic is dead. The approach to the stop sign was in a well-marked well-traveled area no trees or bushes or other obstructions at least 3 truck lengths to the stop sign.
Yes I stand corrected the problem is with sober law abiding truckers that might have a light on their truck as my friend did. I am so glad my friend had his log book 100% legal or he would’ve been held responsible for this collision. So glad you saved me from a courtroom battle thank you.
Besides who am I to deprive the funeral industry of potential clients my bad. The tow truck drivers have to get a piece, ambulance, the body shop er doctors, bill collectors, therapists, psychiatrists, accident investigators, paralegals, insurance adjusters, attorneys, the sale of the new vehicles; how dare me to stunt all that industrial development. I am just too negative I didn’t see the other side of my a error; practicing collision avoidance ,using a spotlight; that is placing too many people out of work.
I have read both of your past writings and I now understand your reason for your opinions'. It has nothing to do with spotlights. You hate rock and roll. :rock:

[cdltpx]

The last thing that you should be doing if someone is pulling out in front of you is playing with a spotlight.The opinions expressed by the author should be yours as well, if you knew what was good for you. They secretly represent the views of CAD or of the other members of CAD.

REV opinion cannot be forced upon another you are not GOD ever since the Bush administration began there has been an attempt to force folks that are not to the right politically to be quiet this is not the American way that is Nazi Germany way. As long as I have the promise of liberty I will speak my mind politely and there are many times where I see the opposed point of view causing me to understand more in essence to be corrected. You can disagree without being disagreeable I don’t fall for the bait of a confrontation in anger. If you are offended in a difference of opinion too bad you need to cultivate a milder spirit.
I hate it that we are weighted down in litigation I want that to change but the other way is violence and I hate that too all of us can’t be right or correct all the time and we can’t all be wrong as long as the courts are hearing arguments we are not in the streets involved in civil war. If the moderator removes me because of expressing an opinion that is non-offensive amen enjoy. You can all sit around the computer saying hooray for our side and be voted out of every political office in the land or you can work together. Bullying others because you have a responsibility of moderator is not what chat rooms are set up for we are to exchange ideas in this room it is transportation ideas that is my goal to converse about things we drivers need to do.

[coastie]

I drove one truck with these spot lights on it. Yes it was useful for what it was intended for. Looking for something. But to use it in a warning level, as you discribled, No. Poor choice. Why? Many people would not know what your doing. Air Horn, they can hear, Light, well they may not see it. Yes you read right. if they are looking in the other direction they will not see it. Horn they will, and it does not take any longer then having to reach Turn on the spot light the aim it. Wasiting time that way. Just pull you air horn cable.

[Twilight Flyer]

The opinions expressed by the author should be yours as well, if you knew what was good for you. They secretly represent the views of CAD or of the other members of CAD.

REV opinion cannot be forced upon another you are not GOD ever since the Bush administration began there has been an attempt to force folks that are not to the right politically to be quiet this is not the American way that is Nazi Germany way............

Come on...Rev's signature is tongue-in-cheek. It's obvious so don't take things so seriously.

As far as banning you, why would that happen? I happen to disagree with your use of the light and I'd be willing to bet that I'm not the only one. As several people have stated (myself included), you might know why you are waving it in the air, but most other people do not. And getting on your CB and telling people you are doing it for a brake check isn't going to help the majority, since they are in 4-wheelers and do not have CB's.

I would suggest once again contacting an attorney and asking what your liability is. You might also contact an LEO and ask them, too. Right or wrong, we are in a sue-happy society and if you get sued for waving your light in the air and causing an accident, the smart money is going to be on you losing the lawsuit. Just ain't worth it.

[cdltpx]

That is just what they say when they are doing something that is banned they claim we were just kidding but the wording is such to intimidate and that is wrong at least here you are allowed enough space to fully explain your intentions and my intentions are benign. You want to see some humongous fines and judicious rulings see your eeoc officer within your company and you will get an education on jokes and fun and the wording of statements. I believe I have fully explained the reason for the thread and will devote my time to other pending task. Got to wash the dishes.

Moderator the reason I feel that the use of a spot light to alert others by pointing upward is not an issue is the simple fact that they use generator powered lights that can be seen for 10 miles away to tell all that a big event or a new business is open. There are distractions all over like in Atlanta there is a place where a huge Jumbo jet will cross over traffic” if that isn’t a distraction what is “do you believe that they will sue the Delta corporation for that? The fact is anyone can sue anyone for anything the question is will they? Personal injury attorneys usually work on contingency basis and will not waste their time on a case that they feel they can’t win. Because of my driving style I feel secure that the issue will never see a courtroom we are talking about 3x use in that manner in a 7 month period while I flash the light up ward I look in the rear view mirror to see if the traffic is slowing then as soon as I see a reaction I stop with the light.

You are probably use to driving with someone on the side of you at all times I really don’t drive that way if a truck is passing me I slow if our speeds are comparable if a car tries to stay to my LHS (what I call a but sniffer) and I slow and they slow I speed up they speed up if it goes on too long I will take the next exit and re-enter the interstate don’t believe me ask Charlie Niell he will attest to that fact. He thinks I can be too safe I disagree because money doesn’t constitute my speed when he witnessed me exiting because of (a but sniffer) he was angry at the loss of time. He also witnessed that same vehicle tie up with a PU truck towing a boat. While we were pumping back up in the distance we could see what looked like an explosion of dirt and dust and sure enough she had caused a collision by unsafe driving habits the boat puller probably had sped up to get rid of her and the road was too bumpy and the collision occurred rolling the boat and truck.

Trucks passing one another with comparable speeds is dangerous the slower truck should decide to slow to allow the faster truck to go by freeing the interstate. Try not to frustrate the 4 wheelers this is when they will do stupid things when they feel the trucks are trying to hold them back. If a motorists wants to fly down the interstate in excess of 70 mph let him go that is what we call bear bait those fools keep the bears busy so we can breeze on by.

You see my handle on here cdltpx well that is what I have maintained since 1994 class a cdl t p x .I have driven tour bus, school bus, doubles, tank, flat bed, dry van, reefer, hauled explosives, radio active, fuel, cryogenics, no tickets or accidents the moving violations I have gotten were all either on 2 wheels or 4. It has been 10 years since my last violation to maintain a record like this you have to walk your walk you don’t act aggressively ever. :rock: Rock on

[Twilight Flyer]

The fact is anyone can sue anyone for anything

Yep.

the question is will they?

Yep.

Good luck.