Truckers Headed to Washington DC

dseag2

dseag2

Dallas, TX
Location
Dallas, TX
Doesn't this seem insignificant compared to what is happening in Ukraine right now? Also, mask mandates are lifting. Seems like too little, too late. What are they protesting? Maybe they lose their identities if they don't have something to protest against?

 

As I understand it, it's not just about mask mandates — it's about vaccine mandates. But I'll not argue about this.

[Added] True that Ukraine is a big issue right now, but that doesn't mean that people don't have other issues as well.
 

A war that could escalate to world wide thermonuclear extinction, and truckers are protesting for their right NOT to wear masks during a pandemic. Then there's the protest having to get a lifesaving vaccine. I think those truckers just wanted to "protest", and the cause was irrelevant. It was more about a show of "power" for what they felt unempowered.
 
They're not nearly getting the turnout they expected. And Maryland and Virginia Dept of Transportation likely already have plans in place to make sure this stops at state borders. In Mississippi, MDOT patrols are very strict and they can stop truckers any time they want to examine logs, make sure weights are in limits.... My guess ...maybe someone knows for sure.... is that DOTs can also examine cargo and manifests to see if truckers entering the states have legitimate destinations for delivery within their states. If so, MD and VA can prevent them from crossing into their states.
 
They didn't like the mandates, and the mandates have been removed. Another issue is the sanctions that have been place on U.S. oil production. Let's hope that issue is also quickly resolved.
 
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dseag2 said:
Doesn't this seem insignificant compared to what is happening in Ukraine right now? Also, mask mandates are lifting. Seems like too little, too late. What are they protesting? Maybe they lose their identities if they don't have something to protest against?

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I agree, the mask requirement is being lifted in my state and across the nation. These jokers just want to disrupt and cause trouble, they are paranoid about defending their freedumb. 🤡 They belong to the dark corner of the population who like to bully, riot and attack, cause disruption to our country and government. They are selfish and don't care about their fellow Americans, how could they care about Ukrainians who are being murdered and taken over by a psychotic dictator?

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AnnieA said:
They're not nearly getting the turnout they expected. And Maryland and Virginia Dept of Transportation likely already have plans in place to make sure this stops at state borders. In Mississippi, MDOT patrols are very strict and they can stop truckers any time they want to examine logs, make sure weights are in limits.... My guess ...maybe someone knows for sure.... is that DOTs can also examine cargo and manifests to see if truckers entering the states have legitimate destinations for delivery within their states. If so, MD and VA can prevent them from crossing into their states.
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Key in such as -- Virginia truck weigh station requirements ---

Can they inspect contents, probably for administrative purposes, no search warrant is required, however, the inspector can not do a complete inventory search and pull out everything at will.
 
ohioboy said:
Can they inspect contents, probably for administrative purposes, no search warrant is required, however, the inspector can not do a complete inventory search and pull out everything at will.
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They wouldn't need to completely inspect inventory, just make sure there's a legitimate contract to deliver goods within their state for each truck in the convoy. If not, turn them away at the state line.
 
Yes, it does seem a little too late but I have a feeling that there is more to it than just those mandates that are almost gone. Seems minor when you see what is happening in Eastern Ukraine with buildings and airports being bombed and innocent people being killed. Here in Canada, the big new topic is "equity, diversity and inclusion." It's nice to be isolated from the war zone so that you can dream up these new problems to solve. One thing I'm sure of is that all those 350,000 Ukrainians running away from their country are not thinking too much about "equity, diversity and inclusion." I think I live in a pretty smug country but there are changes coming and it's going to affect North America. Vladimir Putin is going to wake us up from our deep winter sleep!
 
There is a truck driver shortage, due to Covid. Deliveries are being delayed all over the country. This creates a Golden Opportunity for truckers to build a case for higher wages and benefits....however, using these protest and blockage tactics just reduces public support for their "cause". Using Covid restrictions is a pretty lame excuse for their actions, IMO.
 
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AnnieA said:
My guess ...maybe someone knows for sure.... is that DOTs can also examine cargo and manifests to see if truckers entering the states have legitimate destinations for delivery within their states
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This is an interesting point. Could DOT require truck drivers to present paperwork evidence that they have some business reason to be driving within that State? Their destination, or route?
Do you know if that is a legally valid issue, @ohioboy ?
 
Kaila said:
This is an interesting point. Could DOT require truck drivers to present paperwork evidence that they have some business reason to be driving within that State? Their destination, or route?
Do you know if that is a legally valid issue, @ohioboy ?
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My guess is that state DOT powers are set by state legislators. If Maryland and Virginia DOTs don't currently have those powers, it would warrant an emergency session to grant them. It's the beltway the convoys are supposedly targeting and neither state is going to want transportation disruptions on their portions of the beltway.

@ohioboy ...have you come across specifics for the MD and VA?
 
Kaila said:
This is an interesting point. Could DOT require truck drivers to present paperwork evidence that they have some business reason to be driving within that State? Their destination, or route?
Do you know if that is a legally valid issue, @ohioboy ?
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18 wheelers have to follow guidelines since they are commercial in nature. If they are not engaged in Commerce, intra or interstate they can be grounded. "Personal" travel, such as would be in a car, etc., for everyday travel, I would think is not permitted by law, they must be engaged in business. Motor Carrier laws are state and federal. Here's some info that may help.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/b/5/3
 
AnnieA said:
My guess is that state DOT powers are set by state legislators. If Maryland and Virginia DOTs don't currently have those powers, it would warrant an emergency session to grant them. It's the beltway the convoys are supposedly targeting and neither state is going to want transportation disruptions on their portions of the beltway.

@ohioboy ...have you come across specifics for the MD and VA?
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Nothing other than what's noted in my post to Kaila. They just can't travel around the country at will, but generally, yes, they have to have a Direct commercial purpose in the entering state. I'm not talking about just crossing a state border to eat or get cheeper fuel. Any Truckers set me straight, or add facts.
 
Thank you for that input, @ohioboy

I like to learn and consider related issues, when these types of difficult situations arise...
things that I and many others might not immediately think of, that could have an influence, or be involved, in a present issue or event.

I find it helpful and enlightening and educational, to attempt to discover any new-to-me, additional info and facts,
rather than depending solely on my previous info, ideas, assumptions and opinions.
 
I find it odd so many just want to stop a protest .... one that is about mandates ..... and government overreach.
So lets dig into DOT rules to find one that probably is not specifically applied every day......... to shut it down....that is not overreach ....
ironic huh

Did anyone question when paid protesters are bused or flown into an area they have Zero connection to for many protests last summer....
as to why they are going ? ...Nope why the double standard ?
Yet look at arrest records at many last years protests........ and you will find out of town rowdy folks. the articles often stated arrests made were from out of town people with no connection ... perhaps the organizers did not have enough people in area to support the cause...

Do you want every state line manned not allowing anyone to cross or forced to show us your papers! ...... sounds like the old soviet union .....

yes, truckers may and do take routes through other states to fuel etc.
 
This certainly doesn’t help our already strained supply chain. I would hate for them to induce more panic buying. Yes, our country has more important things to think about right now!
 
Jeni said:
I find it odd so many just want to stop a protest .... one that is about mandates ..... and government overreach.
So lets dig into DOT rules to find one that probably is not specifically applied every day......... to shut it down....that is not overreach ....
ironic huh

Did anyone question when paid protesters are bused or flown into an area they have Zero connection to for many protests last summer....
as to why they are going ? ...Nope why the double standard ?
Yet look at arrest records at many last years protests........ and you will find out of town rowdy folks. the articles often stated arrests made were from out of town people with no connection ... perhaps the organizers did not have enough people in area to support the cause...

Do you want every state line manned not allowing anyone to cross or forced to show us your papers! ...... sounds like the old soviet union .....

yes, truckers may and do take routes through other states to fuel etc.
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Peaceful protests are great. Semis blocking roadways, commerce and causing noise pollution aren't my idea of peaceful, but besides what I think, they're not legal. Rioters that loot and burn look worse on a screen, but the economic impact of truckers blocking vital roadways is higher in the long run than a few nights of riots. Not to mention they block the path of ambulances, firetrucks, people trying to obtain essential services.

State DOTs already routinely scrutinize truckers' equipment, loads and paperwork. It's not a draconian "Soviet Union" thing to use the system that's already in place for public safety to continue to ensure safety.
 
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ohioboy said:
Nothing other than what's noted in my post to Kaila. They just can't travel around the country at will, but generally, yes, they have to have a Direct commercial purpose in the entering state. I'm not talking about just crossing a state border to eat or get cheeper fuel. Any Truckers set me straight, or add facts.
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Part of the ELD (electronic log device) Mandate reads as such. "Any driving for personal purposes would be recorded as off-duty time and not driving. Currently, there are no limits set for the amount of driving".
So, while the daily limit in Canada is up to 75 kilometers, almost 47 miles, for using a CMV for personal conveyance, the United States, however, has no limit is currently set. In other words as long as you are not forwarding a load, (which would have to be recorded on the ELD and subject to FMCSA regulations, you are free to drive anywhere you please.
 
AnnieA said:
Peaceful protests are great. Semis blocking roadways, commerce and causing noise pollution aren't my idea of peaceful, but besides what I think, they're not legal. Rioters that loot and burn look worse on a screen, but the economic impact of truckers blocking vital roadways is higher in the long run than a few nights of riots. Not to mention they block the path of ambulances, firetrucks, people trying to obtain essential services.

State DOTs already routinely scrutinize truckers' equipment, loads and paperwork. It's not a draconian "Soviet Union" thing to use the system that's already in place for public safety to continue to ensure safety.
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Riots had streets that were blocked ........businesses burned and looted .........but it just looks bad on TV? ..... all those activities are illegal

In fact the damage from riotous protests continue..........far after the couple nights
Some areas hit by those type protests are damaged much longer.......... as business does not build back in that area and neighborhood residents, they lost places they used to shop or even work .......... or people Avoid the area completely further stigmatizing area ............ thus further hurting the areas businesses and residents.
Many again caused by outside agitators....

No one said the DOT does not already inspect trucks ...... but what was described above of checking if they had any reason to be there is not an everyday inspection ..... it is Over reach...
The protests are to bring attention to an issue and assuming items like emergency vehicles not let through are a bit presumptive.
It is exactly what I said if Vague terms of public safety are used to justify over reach.... BEFORE any item actually happens
 

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