Trucker question in CA?

Question

Why do some truckers stop at an open scale, and others do not pass. I see signs that say "all trucks must stop when open" and I still see a handfull of trucks who blaze by them.

Im not a trucker. My pal Matt asked one time on the CB "why dont some trucks stop?" and some trucker (call sign-redneck leader) said "because he didnt f*cking feel like it!"

Can someone give me another answer?

Answer 1

Some have transponders on them that allow trucks for companies with good records to pass the scales without stopping.  They have the receivers over the right two lanes of the freeway, since those are the only lanes trucks can be in anyway.  There are, of course, some (like the CB redneck) who choose to ignore the scales.  But, per my trucker friend, the fines and penalties for NOT going to them when you are required to are really high and totally negate any incentive to try skipping, especially if you are driving someone else's rig.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The reason that many truckers can bypass an open scale is a little windshield mounted transponder called Prepass.  It is similar to the CA Fast Pass for tolls, but only for scales in most states.  It costs a small fee per month & it is dependant on the mood of the state DOT & the company's record within the state.  

When a Prepass equipped truck crosses near a sensor, it will register on the weigh master's computer.  If our credentials & in many cases, weight, checks out, we will get the green light & pass by the scale at highway speed.  If something isn't right, whether it is a random check, too heavy on an axle, or too many drivers in the company getting in trouble, it will give us the red light & we have to cross the scale.  Sometimes, a weigh master will have the system shutdown, so everyone has to cross the scale.  It keeps us honest & prevents complacency.

That driver who said that he didn't feel like crossing it is going to get caught one of these days or was pulling your leg.  CA doesn't play around with truckers, especially those who dodge a scale.  To be honest, any truck driver who has never missed a scale hasn't been out here for very long.  Nearly everyone has done it, mostly by accident or they couldn't get back into the proper lane in time.