Flatbed drivers in Alabama BEWARE!!
 

I'm not sure if this has been posted or not in this post but I felt I should warn everyone who might drive a flatbed trailer through Alabama. I drive for Maverick and they have communicted to us that Alabama DOT is checking EVERY flatbed trailer for proper securement and weight. If your load is not secured properly or you are overwight you will be written a ticket for 2,000 and given a mandatory 30 days in jail. This ain't no joke guys, they are cracking down because they are tired of coils falling off of people's trailers and killng people. Of course since you are a proffessional driver you should have your load secured properly and have nothing to worry about. :D But I just wanted to warn you guys. Be safe out there.

Ryan

30 days in jail is BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone is giving you a line.

I agree with the 30 days is BS. Thats just a scare tactic. That being said, Alabama is horrible for stuff falling off trucks. Evertime I went through Alabama somewhere, someone or something had come apart on a truck.

Ive seen two coils on the road and Ive seen two trailers come disconnected from their tractors. Now I didnt even drive thru that much but what is it with that state.

It looks like Alabama needs to tighten up their training and/or have more DOT checks. Way out of control. Up here in NY, they passed a new endorsement that flatbedders must have if they haul coils. Its called the "M" endorsement. My company made me obtain it for god knows why, when I was a hauling a van. But, after taking the test and seeing how coils are supposed to be secured I see way to many people doing it wrong.

Well just my 2 cents

30 days in jail sounds like ch19 stuff.

I'm sure somebody got checked by DOT and did (in fact) spend 30 days in jail....after being found under the influence, 5 log books, and/or a accident with a fatality :wink:

Wasn't picking on you Ryan. I do believe that's what you heard along with the others in here. Don't want you to get the wrong impression.

Sorry guys, Driver67373 is not repeating mere B.S. or Ch. 19 chatter. Alabama has had a lot of trouble with steel coils falling from skateboards, especially near Birmingham.

One particular judge has announced his intention to sentence violators to the maximum possible; i.e. $2,000 fine and a 30-day jail sentence.

Read about it The Birmingham News: Judge wants steel coil crackdown

Every state needs to really crack down on improperly secured loads, and not just for big truck either. I am so sick of seeing 4 wheelers with crap piled 14 feet high and not a rope, strap or chain anywhere on the entire load.

Yes, moving day can be quite amusing.

This is a bit extreme but amusing:
http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Workshop/Overload.htm

Run safe & legal with your load secured and you should have nothing to worry about. [/img]

Wreckless Endangerment is one charge I can think of .... Think about an officer noticing you lighting a flare while pumping gas .. what charges would you expect? No fire has happend ... yet .. but you can be reasonbly assured that this is a very dangerous and negligent act ... Well the feds' are getting fed up with accidents involving load securement ....

Alabama might be the first to respond .. but a huge push is coming from the Fed's -- In particular steel coils. I would expect a more statewide response and enforcement soon. If you are flat-bedding and you have a load of steel coils .. you want to make sure it is legal and safe no matter where you travels might take you. This is just a sign of the consequences when we are lax at our jobs.

Yesterday on Indiana 67 north of Muncie I rolled by a semi laying on it's side in the middle of a curve. It was a flatbed hauling a steel coil. The coil had broke loose and rolled up to a house causing minor damage to the house.
No injuries at the scene, but a half mile behind in the backed up traffic a semi rear ended a car causing some injuries.

It's just lucky no one was killed.

http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbc...703090322/1002