I didn't see any of that.

According to most replies, you're in the clear. If your company is sued and comes down on you, look into the local rules regarding utility line placement. This is, of course, if you were allowed to be down that road to begin with... :wink:

 

You think you had problems? Neighbor lost his cable, phone, and Internet for three days. The kicker is we are on underground utilitys. Seems when one of the other neighbors had a problem the phone company hired an outside contractor to bury a new line and they didn't take the time find the existing lines. Thank God for cellphones.

kc0iv

 

One should always exercise caution on any "other than primary route" road. Besides pulling down wires, some branches that are low due to rain, wind, snow or ice accumulation or any reason can damage your truck or trailer as well.

My personal story: Used to drive a mid-roof sleeper, bob-tailed the truck home when I could. Switched to a high condo and the first time I went home ping...ping...ping...down came the wires. Telephone and cable only...the electric guys around here are pretty good about being high enough.

Anyway, I didn't notice it on the way in...but after hopping in the minivan and seeing the wires down...I started putting 2 and 2 together as to whodunit! (One house that lost phone was my aunt!)

I called the police and they told me someone had already called the fire company about "downed power lines"....the fire chief showed up and we both ascertained that none were power and the was little safety concern. The PD wanted to jump me for it...but the fire chief pointed out that the ordinance required 14' for anything over the road...but the cop persisted...he wanted to give me a ticket or at least make my company pay for the damages. After the local zoning enforcement officer told him he could not he was not very happy. (I suggested he send the phone and cable companies tickets instead!!!....not a wise move...he put me on his "hit list" forever after)

Came home after being out for 3 weeks and I see signs on my street...."Weight Limit 10 tons".....never been there before, no bridges or anything else to necessitate it...but they are there anyway! Tractor, full of fuel, all associated gear AND driver scales 19k. Drive away!

 

I agree but my point , and I guess I didn't make it, was that he/she was supposed to stop and report it.

 

Wouldn't that sign mean 10 tons per axle?

 

To be totally honest, I never thought of that. My understanding was that it referred to total gross weight of the entire vehicle.

And I have seen similar signs reading "weight limit 30 tons, except combinations 40 tons" or words to that effect. Logically it must be referring to gross weight and not per axle (if simply for the fact that I cannot imagine an axle that would carry 30 let alone 40 tons!!!)

 

My contention is that it wasn't an accident.

 

I guess you forgot the Regs about Property damage

 

Which reg is that? The one that states that all wires above all streets are to be a MINIMUM of 14 feet?

This is the fault of the utility company that placed them there, not the truck driver.

Dark street, black cables under regulation height. End of story.

I trust when the re-laid the lines, they put them at a legal height, but more than likely not. Chances are, they were piggybacking the power lines, which is also a big no-no, but happens all too often.

 

no it would mean 10 tons total weight.