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dump trucks, rocks, license plates

buschmaster
one time my friend told me some rocks fell out of a dump truck and cracked his windshield, so they paid to have it fixed.

ok, later on that happened to me too. there wasn't a license plate on the back of the truck. I sped up, and there wasn't one on the front either. it said on the door what the company was.

I went to their office to ask about getting my windshield fixed, and whaddya know, I had to get in line. there were 5 other guys there for the same thing. they said to bring back the bill and they'd cut me a check.

after that, I noticed that none of the dump trucks driving around had license plates. since then, everywhere I've been (nebraska, texas, missouri, anywhere in between) I have never seen a dump truck with license plates on it.

obviously, it would be to their advantage, to avoid people wanting their windshields replaced from rocks falling out of their trucks. o-k.

but how is it they can do that? every other kind of vehicle except a frikkin' bicycle has to have plates, but they don't?

are they just paying tickets for no plates as they go? do they pay somebody off? is there some law that says "everybody must have license plates, except for those kinds of trucks that haul rocks and break windshields"?

I don't get it. wherever you're at, I guar-on-tee you there won't be a license plate on any dump truck you see. how can they do that?
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Comments

30 comments

Date Votes
  • Permanently deleted user
    I see them with plates all the time!

    A big truck is not required to have them on the back (unless it is the trailer) but they should have them on the front bumper!

    Some companies who only run seasonal do get by without them by running temporary registrations and only carrying a piece of paper in the cab.
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  • select-fire
    My tires on my 4x4 have been known to let a stuck rock in the tread loose. Cars sure do get out of the way..[:D]
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  • buschmaster
    hmmm... I guess I haven't been looking at the front bumper enough.
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  • A J Christ
    Around here they hang a sign on the back of dump trucks stating that they are not responsible for broken windshields. Had one busted and the company refused to pay for it, claimed they were exempt because of the sign.

    All vehicles must display tags, except the likker sickles (mopeds)
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  • SuburbanNoize
    they cant get into where i work without a license plate.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    quote:Originally posted by SuburbanNoize
    they cant get into where i work without a license plate.
    I believe a paper temporary in the cab would probly let them in. This is 100% legal.

    One company I used to work for had many trucks that only ran 3 months out of the year (hauling tomatoes in California) and a good portion of them had no plates! It was cheeper for the company to just run temporary registrations for the 3 months that it was to keep them registered year round with plates.
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  • sarge_3ad
    Doesn't most states have laws about truck drivers tarping their loads? Met a nit-wit farmer up in north central Iowa running down the road in his semi with a untarped load. Corn was shooting out like bullets all along the highway. Chipped my windshield and the next morning a crack formed. Too late too chase him down. [:(!]
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  • Permanently deleted user
    quote:Originally posted by sarge_3ad
    Doesn't most states have laws about truck drivers tarping their loads? Met a nit-wit farmer up in north central Iowa running down the road in his semi with a untarped load. Corn was shooting out like bullets all along the highway. Chipped my windshield and the next morning a crack formed. Too late too chase him down. [:(!]
    Most stated do require it but not all.

    Also regulations state that mud flaps are to be no higher than 6" above the ground! But that is not followed either!
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  • iluvguns
    TN requires all loads in a dump to be tarped. THey also require the company to have their company name (or individual name if personal) and phone number in, I believe, 5-inch letters on the tailgate. If you don't stay back at least 50 feet, they aren't liable for rocks kicked off the road breaking your windshield. But if the material fell off the truck, get their number and call.
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  • slipgate
    quote:Originally posted by A J Christ
    Around here they hang a sign on the back of dump trucks stating that they are not responsible for broken windshields. Had one busted and the company refused to pay for it, claimed they were exempt because of the sign.

    All vehicles must display tags, except the likker sickles (mopeds)




    I think that is worse. That is admitting you have a problem with rocks. Its like putting up the "beware of dog" sign - a liability issue since you are admitting that you know your dog will bite.
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  • select-fire
    quote:Originally posted by slipgate
    quote:Originally posted by A J Christ
    Around here they hang a sign on the back of dump trucks stating that they are not responsible for broken windshields. Had one busted and the company refused to pay for it, claimed they were exempt because of the sign.

    All vehicles must display tags, except the likker sickles (mopeds)




    I think that is worse. That is admitting you have a problem with rocks. Its like putting up the "beware of dog" sign - a liability issue since you are admitting that you know your dog will bite.


    Maybe.. but what if a NO Trespass sign also exists?
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  • barto
    I gare-un-tee you in Oregon if your truck doesn't have plates front & back it will sit wherever the DOT finds it until it does.
    Really cranky folks, them DOT boys.
    [;)]barto[;)]
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  • SG
    Thats BS! If a rock comes through your windshield and knocks you unconcious or causes an accident someones getting sued.That sign means nothing.If that was the case,I should be able to put a sign on my car and when I feel the need to throw something at someones car I should be exempt.quote:Originally posted by A J Christ
    Around here they hang a sign on the back of dump trucks stating that they are not responsible for broken windshields. Had one busted and the company refused to pay for it, claimed they were exempt because of the sign.

    All vehicles must display tags, except the likker sickles (mopeds)
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  • gunnut505
    All those dump trucks have (in 3" letters) the ICC numbers on the door or just under the door. Never mind the "Not Responsible" sign; if it came off the top, off the tailgate, or out from the frame rails, they owe you a windshield.
    I got mine replaced after chasing the bozo down and speaking with his boss at the yard where they filled the trucks; still had a chunk of rock (#3 gravel) on the hood next to the windshield. When I demanded to see what his bill of lading was for the last load; the boss mumbled something about small rocks and told me to get a receipt and he'd pay for it. This was at a La Farge gravel pit!
    Of course, you will see those warning signs on all kinds of vehicles that drop portions of their loads- even cement trucks!
    Best way to get even (those that would actually carry a grudge) is to write the numbers down, contact your local DOT, and report the driver as being drunk/stoned several times a month, with stuff flying out the top all over the road.
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  • fishkiller41
    Here, in Florida, i believe all ins. companys are responcibal to fix a broken w/shield. the DOT. and sheriffs office will stop a truck in a second, for not havin a tag...Hopefully another Florida person will chime-in on this...


    Jeff
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  • David Nunn
    Hang all the signs on the back of your truck you want to; in Texas they mean nothing. Loads are required to be tarped, and ANY part of a load that falls from one vehicle and strikes another is a workable accident/crash. Fault lies with the driver of the vehicle from which the missile fell.

    "Not responsible" signs are generally a lie, and generally there to fool the gullible. Ask mateo.
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  • bang250
    quote:Originally posted by sarge_3ad
    Doesn't most states have laws about truck drivers tarping their loads? Met a nit-wit farmer up in north central Iowa running down the road in his semi with a untarped load. Corn was shooting out like bullets all along the highway. Chipped my windshield and the next morning a crack formed. Too late too chase him down. [:(!]



    Nobody around here tarps the load. More of a hassle unless your on a long haul.
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  • dakotashooter2
    If it may present a hazard they are liable for it sign or no sign. A rock flying of a gravel truck, cracking your windshield, disrupting your vision and potentially resulting in a crash is a violation the DOT is not gonna overlook.
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  • David Nunn
    quote:Nobody around here tarps the load. More of a hassle unless your on a long haul.

    Hassle? Most haulers of loose material use a device that draws the tarp forward and aft, unspooling and spooling it on a big roller on arms. Not much hassle at all.

    And it's worth it. Say you lose 20 pieces of gravel, or whatever small loose material you are hauling. Say you are traveling a heavily traveled road, lots of 4-wheelers. Say 10 of those pieces strike vehicles and do damage. Now, say 5 of those people contact the DPS about the "crash." You and your driver's license number now appear on 5 separate crash reports. Does wonders for your insurance, not to mention getting your CDL suspended for too many crashes.

    TARP THE LOAD!
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  • iluvguns
    It's no big deal to tarp the load. On my dad's dumps, they are all "spring loaded". Load up, relase the handle, and the tarp rolls back. When empty, stand on the tank and crank it back up. SOme even have electric motors to take care of it. Back in the late 70's it was a pain in the butt to tarp, but all you had to tarp was asphalt, just to keep the heat in. Back then the tarp was rolled around a big ol' oak 2x4. You hung on to the side of the truck and "walked" it back. Then did the opposite to roll it up. And dang straight that bed was HOT when full of asphalt! Keep all the hair burned off my arms one year! SOmeone mentioned ICC numbers. Dad doesn't have ICC #'s. He isn't "interstate." But as I said earlier, the law requires their company name and phone # in big letters on the tailgate. I forgot, but they also require a truck number so you can identify the truck when you call. He has had folks call in and not be able to identify the truck or give a truck number and location that didn't match up. In other words, they just wanted a free windshield. But if you have proof, and not even good proof, really, his ins. co. will put you in a windshield. What I have found to be worse than commercial dumps though is farmers hauling grain this time of year. Corn will literally sand blast the front of your vehicle! Heck a farmer doesn't even need a CDL to haul a load! That is just wrong IMHO.
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  • Lightning
    quote:Originally posted by A J Christ
    Around here they hang a sign on the back of dump trucks stating that they are not responsible for broken windshields. Had one busted and the company refused to pay for it, claimed they were exempt because of the sign.

    All vehicles must display tags, except the likker sickles (mopeds)




    If thats how they believe it works, Then hang a sign around your neck saying you are not responsible for your actions, and whip their a**es.
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  • MrOrange
    Pretty sure in Cali it doesn't matter how much info you get off a truck, you're not going to get anybody but your insurance company to pay for a new windshield. "There are dangers inherent in driving."

    Besides, how are you going to prove that your windshield was hit by something that fell of a particular truck? Even if you have video of the whole thing, all the trucker has to say is tough luck, sue me. I'm shocked that the get-the-plate routine actually works for anybody.

    And of course there's all the people who, when they want a new windshield, will just go out and get a plate off a truck and claim that something fell off that truck and damaged their car.
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  • Colt Super
    Isn't California a "no-fault" state ??

    In that case, your insurance company pays.

    Doug
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  • bama55
    quote:Originally posted by A J Christ
    Around here they hang a sign on the back of dump trucks stating that they are not responsible for broken windshields. Had one busted and the company refused to pay for it, claimed they were exempt because of the sign.


    Don't work in AL. either. If the rock comes from the vehicle the company is responsible.
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  • ljwrench
    Unfortunatly, I live around a lot of rock quarries and only about 1/3 of the trucks tarp their loads. On any given day I see around 50 dump trucks on my 6.5 mile commute to work. Most of them have license plates on back. Whenever I get behind one "chucking" rocks I want to paint "Not responsible for flying lead" on my tailgate.
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  • allen griggs
    I live near the quarry here in North Carolina. I have noticed that none of the dump trucks have rear license plates.
    gitrdone: Why don't they have to have rear plates? Do they figure the plate will get dinged up by the gravel dumping?
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  • dheffley
    I promise you they don't want to be on a Texas road without a license plate! The truck will be impounded immediatly!
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  • buschmaster
    didn't see any with plates on the back when I was in texas.
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  • iluvguns
    In TN dumps don't run plates on the rear. If you're hauling asphalt, when you back into the paver, the plate will get covered by tar. If hauling gravel, same thing backing into the spreader. Dust and mud will cover it. Can't read it either way! That is the reason for the state law making you put the co. name, phone # and truck # on the tail gate.
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  • MVP
    Every Dump truck I see in Washington State has a license plate on the truck and trailer.

    I do see signs once in a while that says "stay back 500', we are not responsible for damaged windshields"
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