Damage from gravel trucks - how to stop it?

[cowtown]

At the risk of sounding like some of our more reactonary members, I want to vent about gravel trucks, and get ideas of how to regulate them into covering their loads on the highways.

I can tell when there's one of these things a mile up ahead of me, before I even see it. That's because golf-ball sized stones are being hurled at my windshield.

And then, there it is, an uncovered gravel hauler, usually in the middle of the three-lane highway, doing thousands of dollars of damage to the cars following it. People sneak up on it, then frantically floor their cars past it, hoping to minimize the damage.

I think some of the guys driving these trucks take a sort of perverse pleasure in this.

I think that some states have laws requiring these truckers to cover their loads. How would I go about starting a process to legislate this? Is it just a lost cause, given that the trucking lobby is second only to the AARP in power and money in California (I'm making this up, but it's close to the truth). I checked the DMV web site, but can't see anything related.

When it comes to government regulation, I'm as hands-off as the next conservative-leaning guy, but this is a clear case of a small group causing harm to a lot of people, with zero accountability. I want these guys to cover their loads.

[concentric]

Probably a local ordinance is your best bet... Get a petition together and lobby the city council.

I think that truckers are required to have insurance that would cover any damages... If you have paint chips, etc. you might want to file a claim. I got the windshield broken on my Jetta by a gravel truck, I should have done that.

JCM

[bryanthompson]

There are two large gravel companies within 20 miles of my house, so I come along the path of about 5 gravel trucks every day on my way to/from work.

With one of the companies, if they throw a rock and it breaks your windshield, you make sure to write down the license plate, time and location where it happened... They turn it into their insurance company and they buy a new windshield for you. I personally haven't done it, because I try to stay as far away as possible from them.

The other gravel company won't acknowledge any responsibility for damage, so you're screwed unless you try to sue, which I don't think would hold up in court at all.

On a sortof similiar subject... I was driving to work one windy day when a construction sign broke loose from its base and flew into my car. It scratched the hood and made some dents... Anyway, the insurance company rejected the claim calling it an "act of god," but small claims court called him at fault because he didn't use a proper retainer to keep the sign in the base. So, it's possible to still win the case with the gravel if they don't take any precautionn to keep the gravel _in_ the truck.

[cowtown]

I have a 15-mile freeway drive to work, and I come up on a truck during probably 50% of my drives. I try to stay away from them, and don't necessarilty want to file a claim for each little paint chip or dent. But over the years, the chips/dents really add up.

I just want them to be good citizens and cover up the gravel. But I don't know the process to force them to do it on interstate highways.

[widebody911]

I've seen signs on the trucks now "NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OBJECTS COMING FROM ROAD"

I particularly enjoy the 10 wheelers with 1/2 yard of gravel dumped on the sides of the truck by a lazy/incompetent skiploader operator.

[bryanthompson]

The "coming from road" is the key there... I don't think can be too responsible for rocks thrown from tires or picked up by the draft, but if the material in the truck isn't secured... wouldn't it be the same as a truckload of pipes dropping one on your car?

[RickM]

Here in NJ they have a law...at least that's what I've heard/observed. Every once in while you'll catch crap coming off a covered truck as well. Feel lucky in a car, getting hit with debri while on a bike is murder.

[RallyJon]

I've seen signs on the trucks now "NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OBJECTS COMING FROM ROAD"

That's usually how it works. If a rock falls off the truck and hits you directly, they're liable. If it falls off the truck and bounces into you, or if the truck tires pick up a rock and fling it at you, they're not responsible.

Not fair, but them's the rules around here anyway.

[mattdavis11]

The easiest way is to draft a bill to be introduced at the state level for the next legislative session. You will need a sponsor, ie. a member of the assembly to do so. Contact who represents you, explain details, get a draft in the works. Check with them periodically (don't hassle them) to see where it is in the drafting stages. If the information is privy to you, I would contact the drafter, or at least leave my contact info with the member to be available to the drafter. Have the member file it as a bill when it is suitable to certain standards that you want. Obtain a copy, watch it through the committee process, walk the halls for votes, see what you get. The concrete and highway boys have a lot more money than you or I, but this is a big problem. Tarps are cheaper than paint chips, so you may have a chance. Get the insurance folks behind you, stiffen the penalties for non-compliance if a law has already been set up. I'm out of breath, I hope my two drafts hold water, and I wish you luck.

[928ram]

Ya know, here in SC as well as FL and likely others, they have a sort of no-fault W/S replacement.
State required, everyone pays it, free W/S from any road hazard damage. The biggest plus is that no one drives around with cracked and pitted W/Ss.

[vash]

cowtown, it is already a law. the only two items that can be legally dropped from trucks and not consider littering are, feathers from live birds, and clean water. that is it. the truckers are supposed to cover all loads. if the damage is coming from trucks entering and exiting a job site, contact the boss onsite, they have insurance for that kinda stuff. if it is a state job, even easier. even with my pickup truck, i could get a ticket if i dont secure my load. we make our trucks cover up, before coming off our sites.

[Superman]

Vash's description is spot-on for Washington State also.

Colin, your desire for the elegance of an unregulated business community is charming. But now it seems to be colliding with reality. You are going to notice many many instances like this, if you pay attention. This is just rocks on the highway, and you think you should not have to just absorb "the luck of the draw." You will have many opportunities to apply this new wisdom when evaluating other peoples' circumstances. It'd be nice if you could just pretend that "well, that's the breaks," but that won't be honest now, will it?

[project935]

In MI, it's not the crap in the trucks that seem to be the problem.

It's the 3" of thick mud/stone that are always falling of the bottom of the damn things because they never seem to wash them once they leave the work site.

[cowtown]

Originally posted by Superman
Colin, your desire for the elegance of an unregulated business community is charming. But now it seems to be colliding with reality. You are going to notice many many instances like this, if you pay attention. This is just rocks on the highway, and you think you should not have to just absorb "the luck of the draw." You will have many opportunities to apply this new wisdom when evaluating other peoples' circumstances. It'd be nice if you could just pretend that "well, that's the breaks," but that won't be honest now, will it?

Superman, I have never pretended to want zero regulation. And I suspect you know that.

Being for small government does not mean yearning for the gool ol' days of the the industrial revolution.

But, as per your standard operating procedure, you never let those minor details and truths get in your way when making what you consider to be a point. Your absolute belief in your own superiority, intellectual and moral, prevents you from seeing those shades of gray.

Here's the bottom line on you, Supe: Your condecension and arrogance, unfortunately, overshadow any bit of light in any of your posts. Your absolute belief in black and white, with-me-or-against-me logic dooms you to become what you so ridicule.

And now, I'm afraid I must relegate you to the realm of Red UFO, and use the site's "ignore" function. Take care.

[vash]

even more dangerous from the bigRIGs are rocks that are stuck between a set of "dualie" tires from the big rigs. they come off like cannon balls. most quarries and jobsites pay some poor sucker minimum wage to sweep the flat spots and check the tires for debris. they also do this to comply with california stormwater pollution laws. colin, like i said, a group of trucks moving to and fro, typically come from one spot. find that spot and make a stink, they have to comply. if not call calosha. they will get you headed in the right direction.

[cowtown]

Hey thanks Cliff, I didn't know there were already laws on the books about this. I will try that next time I feel my blood pressure going up...well, maybe I should wait to calm down before walking on to a construction site and talking to the foreman.

Mattdavis11, thanks for the procedural description. It almost sounds like getting a ballot measure on the ballot here in measure-happy CA (to get around obstructionists in the Legislature, mainly) would be easier. If only it didn't cost several hundred thousand dollars....

[RickM]

Worst truck "drop" I've seen was a long steel ramp off a car carrier. Thing was tumbling across a 5 lane highway at night....took several cars out, including mine. Woof

[Joeaksa]

AZ has the same no-fault W/S replacement. Too damm many rocks around the state so if (should say when) your windshield takes a hit its just replaced with no charge.

JoeA

[Superman]

Whoa! That sure leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Anybody know why Colin thinks there is a link in my mind between small government and the Industrial Revolution? He says:

"Being for small government does not mean yearning for the gool ol' days of the the industrial revolution."

Have to agree completely. My expectation is the opposite. I'd guess that the proponents of "Laizzes Faire" government would intend for the "hands off" effect to increase government progress, not decrease it.

Ah well. We've got single parents working two minimum wage jobs declaring bankruptcy because a child get sick, and Colin does not want to hear about the irony of complaining about rocks falling from trucks.

Bye, Colin.

[tabs]

Hey a Sawed off Shotgun loaded with Double O Buck shot works for me...now children this should NOT be tried at home.....as it might lead to incarsaration.....