$8,000 overweight ticket. S.Dakota DOT AWFUL

[@alwaysready4017]

I retired from a deputy sheriff 34 years, never once did I come close to writing a trucker a ticket. I hated writing them period but to see the DOT just sitting up waving people over and writing these huge tickets reminds me of a 3 world country. I mean they don’t even need probable cause. What I have seen is a lot of mom n pop trucking businesses have to close the doors. It’s disgusting what they do.

[@WickedOne-1979]

Probably cuz you know we get screwed all the time! They should be writing shippers these tickets!

[@Boomhauer333]

Respect and thank you for your service. Trucking regulations have only gotten so much worse, making it less than desirable to be a truck driver these days.

[@mikelembke5121]

SD has done this way back in the 70's

[@fredblanchard4639]

Please next time have your seat belt on next time so you will not get the ticket!!! DOT can be fair. Some officers are power hungry!!!

[@Boomhauer333]

@@fredblanchard4639 SOME. Meanwhile others HUNT using binoculars to see if you're on the phone or don't have a seatbelt.

[@Dennis379c16]

I would definitely give his supervisor a call and make a reoprt. I would go to a captain. Back when the scales were north of Bridgeport, Nebraska, I had basically the same encounter. I took responsibility and paid the fine. Then, I filed a complaint against the DOT Officer. Took six months and three phone interviews and one hour in administrative court. He was given 30 days unpaid and a letter of reprimand. When they rebuild that intersection, the state took out the scales. Gotta stand your ground. If you're wrong, you're wrong, man up. But nobody deserves to be treated rudely. It's all about respect! Respect is earned not given.

[@shelliewerner5624]

That dude should get fired !!! Good on you Jackson !!!

[@jacksonwhittier3646]

This is a prime example of why people should dodge scales where they can.

[@Boomhauer333]

Just remember that a lot of those scales got chasers waiting.

[@jacksonwhittier3646]

​@@Boomhauer333That's blowing a scale, dodging is when you on purpose use a different road to avoid the weigh station, which is not illegal. The cops can think it's suspicious all they want but there's no law that says you have to take the road that has the weigh station on it.

[@TC2020-w8u]

My daily practice!

[@growthefarmup2606]

10-4 ill trip plan 40 miles outta the way to miss a scale loaded with 100K in a hopper. Lol.

[@jacksonwhittier3646]

​@@growthefarmup2606Yep, outlaw style lol

[@junkboxgarageOG]

I try so hard not to hate cops but they really make it easy.

[@noone3734]

Don't try so hard, they've thoroughly earned the hate

[@bobleslieutech6522]

Well that’s a great attitude. First you are only hearing one side of the story. 2nd .. 1 asshat cop doesn’t throw the rest of them in the mix. I completely agree with Jackson. However, your attitude is infantile.

[@junkboxgarageOG]

@ the funny thing about opinions is that everybody has one.

[@I_Am_Your_Problem]

@junkboxgarageOG Oh yeah? Not the clown running grossly over weight on winter roads.

[@craig5923]

@@bobleslieutech6522your right 1 @$$hat cop doesn’t make them all bad BUT when you pull you head out of that dark crevice call your A$$HOLE you would see how far down the law enforcement criteria for hiring and standard to keep the job have fallen off…. I agree not all cops are bad BUT when they allow a fellow officer to abuse there power IT MAKES THEM JUST AS BAD AS THE COP VIOLATING CITIZENS….

[@solarcitygarage]

Send this video to the SD Governor's office. She is very responsive and you might be surprised of the response you get!

[@dmk1529]

She is in Florida. On her knees looking for a new job.

[@jessewerner5784]

She would probably understand beings she’s from a ranching background and a republican and not like the dude above.

[@Nonsensenoalph]

I've watched the governor of South Dakota in Congress and oversight committees and she is very citizen oriented and she might help you.

[@blazey5236]

@@solarcitygarage just leave your pets home.

[@theamerican7131]

@@dmk1529 true that, those people in south dakota thinks she's on their side lol

[@dieseldawg9144]

It sounds like a shakedown, I would have asked to see calibration on the scales, and refused to pay it until I saw a judge.

[@drewl4762]

You can fight tickets based off of mobile scales pretty easily, I would've asked to been escorted to the closest state certified scales and he probably would've been under the 10k

[@jojobeansie3114]

100% lawyer time.

[@KeithRowell-l7j]

You idiot. He didn't scale befor he left.not a good O/O .dumb .you allwase scale 1st.his fault. Pay the dam ticket

[@KeithRowell-l7j]

​. He is at max wt and over.you people don't know what your talking about.

[@moosehand8721]

​@@KeithRowell-l7jyour right...and 20 years in jail for not tipping his hat at the fine scale pig.

[@styldsteel1]

We need truckers badly. Real bad. Without you and thousands of Jacksons, the country would come to a grinding halt. You are my backbone, Jackson. Thank you

[@ezravantassel5639]

Cattle buyers do that to us all the time, They won’t tell us accurate weights. if they had to start paying the overweights this crap would stop.

[@flatnicable]

It would also help if cattle haulers knew what weight was actually in their trailers.... Idk, imagine if there was a kind of futurisitc technology that told you what load is on your axels in real time.. Like, right in your cabin. kind of what's been standard in Europe for 20 years.

[@George-i7p]

​@@flatnicable yea okay goofball! I'd loved to see this technology that tells a cows exact weight! Oh yea I forgot you Europeans have the smartest and best of everything huh?!

[@ezraclements7472]

Nice name

[@jasonswingle1880]

Got stuck with a load of onions one time years ago. Guess who paid the fine...the onion house covered it. That ticket is to be paid by the cattle house. There's rules on the books that state...if you overload a truck, you are responsible for the fines. The port does it, the freight shippers do it. So how is it any different than any of that? The cattle guy has an somewhat a cute weight on what he's buying or he wouldn't have bought the cows. And of course being as it's a set of portable scales, they usually allow you 3% anyhow. And he has an app which allows 300 lbs there too. But that trooper was a cock and no matter what he was going to get into his wallet.

[@flatnicable]

​@George-i7p it's literally just air loadcells on the axels.. gives a live reading of your weight, not exactly rocket science. And yes, European trucks are way more advanced, so they do seem to be better.

[@krafty9071]

As a farmer who trucks his own grain to market, I think in all fairness, DOT needs to hire only past truckers with experience. This would help most situations like this. We have no scales on the farm but with experience you can get the loaded weight pretty close. The local DOT knows who is trying to be legal and those who don't give a dam. A complaint should be file with DOT, not everyone is fit to be an Officer, thanks for sharing your experience.

[@bradhoffman77]

what i find is bullshit is dot doesn't even need to catch you...all they have to do is go to the elevator and get the weight slips for the day ..

[@mstephey2]

Call his Supervisors. All of them. There is no room for unprofessionalism like that.

[@zantar2482]

Any of us can FOIA that body cam

[@dlind24]

Officer Schmidt Shelby South Dakota

[@llen609]

Maybe he should get fired without a retirement😊

[@jbh6343]

@@dlind24I can’t find him

[@BillNye-bj5vi]

yes overweight truckers are un proffesional

[@mcd5082]

Got a speeding ticket in Iceland for 26kph over the speed limit and it was a $1600 fine payable immediately, cops had a credit card machine in their car. These fines are criminal Jax!

[@itcantbetruebutis7778]

What?

[@gary770se]

Its not about safety its all about the Benjamin's, always been that way. 41 yrs retired thank goodness!

[@Mohawk21-oi1nit]

Gary, sounds like you have "owned " a few parties in your lifetime!!!!!

[@Stump55]

The same goes for these Dr's who give DOT physicals. Lost my CDL's due to one not understanding my then current situation. Literally changed my life at 59 yrs of age.

[@crockettslate]

Had the same thing happen,over stepping the authority ,cause of personal beliefs,that should be left at home.😢 Semi retired after 42yrs. Sitting here remembering, loose leaf log books,twin sticks and toothpicks 🎉

[@spaghetti9845]

the fact chiropractors can give dot physicals is laughable in itself

[@larryt5192]

i think they are looking for some benjamins to be slid their way I just had a dr make me go for more test what a goober

[@DocHemi4268]

@@spaghetti9845 why?

[@donerickson7869]

I went through this with my physical to untill i found dr my age to . The flight surgans arent like that with flight physicals im guessing its ageism remove the old drivers and trucks from the road

[@krisptaco]

In fairness, I have had a few DOT officers who were very reasonable and cut me a break. But I've also been screwed like this too. 26+ years on the road. I am so tired of it all.

[@danielwhite4825]

I acquired my CDL back in 1994 and went to work pulling reefer OTR for a company out of Sioux City , IA . Now mind you back then, a driver simply had to take the written, the walk around , and the driving test and you were ready to roll . No drivers school or ride along needed. I had studied on how to fill out my logs on my own and that was a quick scan of rules at best. Now Sioux City is just 10 miles from the South Dakota border and 11 miles from the South Dakota Port of Entry scale. I needed to get north to load and therefore had to go thru the South Dalota POE with less than 20 miles driving professionally and the officer says come around and bring in my logs and papers. I didn't have my logs right because I hadn't shown 2 wks prior duty so with less than 20 miles of driving was given a ticket for logs and had to go sleeper berth for 8 hrs. They knew I had just left my home yard but yet wrote me and made me sleep.. South Dakota DOT officers are all fuckin pricks and assholes. And they pride themselves in keeping up to the names

[@PhiLBilly_PhilRodgers]

take em to court.

[@griz063]

I hear you. But to you appreciate the time and expense that represents -- with no guarantee you will win. Even if you have a case your lawyer might say is cut-and-dried . . . you might find yourself before a Judge Chutkin or a Judge Merchan or a Judge Caplan or set upon by a Foni Willis or an Alvin Bragg or a Letissia James or a Merrick Garland or a Lisa Monaco or a Kim Gardner . . . and end up having to pay the fine plus legal fees. That's what happens when elected leaders sabotage faith in the judicial system.

[@mattk8810]

Why. Drivers need to drive safe. If you are overweight its your fault.

[@yeahok115sure]

One of my ex-employees missed his detour exit and straight into a scale. He was 160,000lbs on 10 axles. The ticket was $24,000. Every pound over 80,000lbs was accounted for on the ticket. He ended up fighting it in court and thank god the court was willing to drop it down to $3200

[@joe_preston]

South Dakota State Code 32-22-51.2. Livestock not to be unloaded from overweight vehicle--Special permit--Other enforcement action. Lets the officer issue a flat rate $100 overweight permit to the point of unloading or exiting the state. So they do have options to what they issue.

[@flatnicable]

What about punishing cattle haulers so they stop accepting overweight loads knowingly? Or even worse, unknowingly. How on earth can a truckers defense be that he "knew he was heavy, but assumed the load was legal"? Only in America, I can tell you that...

[@daleparkes1570]

Shippers ought to be responsible for any overweight fines. And the shipper should be required to compensate the owner of the truck for any extra time involved reworking a load to get the weights legal. That would solve a lot of problems.

[@donaldbates155]

​@@daleparkes157026+ years with a CDL. Flatbed, oversize, tanker, reefer, abs dry van. If in doubt, scale at closest scale. Return to shipper if over gross, or unable to distribute weight legally. That being said, livestock should never be weighed with Portable scales unless they give a very liberal margin of error. Weighing each wheel set one at a time is not accurate when your load moves around in the trailer. Only weighing all at once has any semblance of accuracy. That being said, driver is still 100%at fault for being overweight, but he should be directed to a scale that is capable of a proper weighing, even if a truck stop, if a livestock load. I'd like to add that the entire time he's making this video he is breaking at least 2 other laws, and creating a video record of doing so. In my opinion, this pretty much kills any sympathy I have for the man.

[@flatnicable]

​@@donaldbates155thank you Donald! You are the first comment I read in this thread, that actually make a good point!

[@geezer652]

@@donaldbates155 - I ran into the same situation on a Texas portable scale while hauling a "smooth-bore" tank that was about 3/4 loaded. The scale man told me to take my foot off the brake while my drives were on his scale.......well I think you know what happened next. He did not like that one bit, pretty pissed until his super came over and told him "how the cow ate the cabbage". I was LMAO all the way to my delivery. Come to think about it 35 years later, I'm still grinnin' ear to ear. (and they never did get an accurate weight on that load)

[@HunterGoodrich]

Man I’m fuming just watching this video, so sorry you had to deal with that BS and I hope you have a lifetime of free and clear trucking here on out cuz you deserve it after that experience!

[@georgejulien3286]

Hunter, you get lucky so often and as a trucker myself I know it’s not long till someone catches your awesome shenanigans. Watch your ass dude, these assholes live to take your hard earned shit.

[@claystarke7406]

My dear friend good for you standing your ground. You are a very blessed man with a beautiful family and friends.

[@blazey5236]

SD is beyond corrupt. Life long resident and ex cop here and it’s officer discretion in most cases.

[@chrisborey1734]

I don’t know what it is with SD. Almost every time I hear a driver gets a load or delivery they always getting a harass. I hope theses cows are ok. The page will turn if some of these cows die or get hurt. I am sure that won’t go well in court.

[@Nonsensenoalph]

Louisiana is too I can tell you about a few scams the Louisiana state Dot is doing . If there is no company or public scale where you load or between where you load and a state scale you have a legal right to return to the loading site or offload onto another truck. A driver can't possibly know exactly what he weighs unless the load has an exact weight of the load on the bill of laden. You can take this to court and win because they have to let you return to the loader

[@jeffharvbrady4466]

Dude, sometimes, no good deed goes unpunished. What a horrible experience.

[@mudpuddle8805]

I am an owner operator and my new Pete has been parked for two years. I still pay permits, license and weekly insurance. I paid my last truck payment this month. Still no work and nothing in sight. I think I am getting an ulcer. Scales dont give out prizes. Way back when I actually used to run, I go way out of my way to bypass all scales even if I am legal weight or empty.

[@uncommonrail1989]

Us truckers really need to band together and get the litigation done that can help us. I paid a 2900$ fine in April because I switched to interstate commerce and I wasn't aware of DOT Clearing house. First inspection I got a 2900$ fine for not being enrolled. I went to the nearest place to enroll and do a Urinary Analysis, passed it but still stuck with the ticket. We are the most over regulated market in the country and it's a damn shame...

[@George-i7p]

No just American truckers are the most regulated not the foreigners! Foreigners can scam us have 3 different drivers on 1 license all on our tax dollars

[@1Surt]

I've heard that "truckers need to band together" since 1987. Will never happen, especially given all the East Indians out here now. Truckers classified as 'unskilled labor', yet so heavily regulated. Ironic.

[@sakomeow]

You're "overregulated" but y'all still have high drivers killing people every day, band together and act better

[@1Surt]

@@sakomeow you are confusing today with the early post-deregulation days. Where drivers were pushed to drive sometimes 3days non-stop. you tell us to "band together and act better", I tell you to f*ck off.

[@I_Am_Your_Problem]

@uncommonrail1989 You clowns think a drivers licensee is "over regulated". Go operate in the EU.

[@johndean2925]

Great job!!! I have experienced the same challenges many times. The one thought that helps me stay in the fight is to remember you could do their job, but no way in heck they can do your job. Thank you for this video...helps to know there are others that face the same inflated egos and proves the old saying that power corrupts.

[@ryanmall]

Sounds like that FING cop falsified his paperwork the first time

[@gerrylarson3675]

He verified that when he said "you want me to falsify my docs.", he already did! This story makes me hostile, ha

[@GallOGlaigh993]

Ive been an Otr for 32 years. An LEO for 9 years. This Fine amount is utterly ridiculous. We as LEOs have discretion on whether to stop or not and whether to cite or not. Theres no reason this couldnt have been handled differently. Im sorry bud. Thats crap. I know Dot officers that farm that have crossed scales well over 10k and drove on with no issues.

[@gerrylarson3675]

Jax, you gotta take that ticket to court. The descrepancy in weight verifies the innaccuracy of the equipment and method. A judge has to dismiss. Not guilty. Ive beat wide load ticket on wide load(no permit) because it would take special tools(or brains)to measure. The guy had neither. It was a load that was wide in diferent areas and hard to reach. Just like cattle that move around within the load. Keep fighting. You can tell i get worked up for no reason about this stuff, sorry. Thanks for your work.

[@flatnicable]

You guys have the cutest reasons for justifying breaking laws...

[@George-i7p]

​@@flatnicablestick to Europe bootlicker! Keep your opinions and your comments about this country to yourself and worry about your own country

[@MrCamkay]

What laws? It’s a verifiable fact that these scales have tolerances that fall within 2-5% just one percent would drop it over 300 pounds

[@pamskyland4444]

@@flatnicablewhat law. Did u see the message for u. Right above mine. U must not know anything about shifting loads and portable scales.

[@jdclark218]

I wonder how many times this officer bumped up the weights and nobody ever checked to make sure he wasn't lying. Good for you for taking pictures of each scale measurement. I might not have thought of that.

[@Boomhauer333]

What I wonder is how much of that fine would go into his own pocket 🤔

[@krisptaco]

Amen, Bro Jax! We only have the rights that we're willing to stand up for. Also beware of the "nice" officers, because often they're just trying to get you to admit to something that they can additionally pop you for.

[@charlesharmon1338]

Ugh. I’m sorry to hear this. It makes my blood boil. In over 17 years in law enforcement (not DOT) I could never wrap my head around that mentality. Those people make my job harder when I’m the next officer that speaks to you.

[@flatnicable]

So as a law enforcement officer, you condone truckers running overweight loads, not even knowing their own total? Interesting..

[@charlesharmon1338]

@ interesting take on my comment. To clarify, it’s not speaking to adherence to the law but to the way this one officer (and others like him) chooses to conduct himself.

[@richardanderson1732]

@@flatnicableso you’re the great white knight saving the world from overweight truckers? Get a life dude, and go troll some other place that gives two shits about your opinion.

[@dougloring4897]

Several comments from you that simulates your righteous indignation my my aren't you a pillar of the upright law of laws you must be so proud of yourself ​@@richardanderson1732

[@Ktgsvtrdg66]

Absolutely felt like a screw job. Somebody wanted to play Lye from Convoy and I applaud you for standing up for yourself. Who knows how many hard working Americans that man has ruined by his power trip. The buyer needs to pay you $4000+ for this unnecessary nightmare. Alot of people hear a number like $8000 and they have an actual heart attack and can potentially die right there in the scale house. NOONE HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY DRIVING!

[@bradsmith2985]

Thank you Jaxon for sharing your story. This points out just how poorly these DOT officers can operate. We support you all the way buddy!

[@kennethkemp5552]

I respect and admire you for standing your ground!!! This dude was definitely unprofessional since it's all on camera, fight it in Court

[@gregmckee951]

Probably came from Pepsi like the head of Secret Service.

[@markdepermentier4361]

I had a DOT cop tell me that the best education you will get is the one you pay for. He said he would spend hours in his van looking for as many violations as he could write.

[@jasontucker3580]

Part of the reason I am glad that I got out of trucking after 20 years. Anytime I had to deal with DOT officers it was always stressful and usually wasn’t a pleasant experience. Out of the many encounters, only a few were pleasant.

[@spoonfind583]

Well handled on your part. I absolutely would take this up the line to report him. He is a public servant not a dictator like he wants to be. Do not hesitate to report him.

[@bramwellhorsley8933]

That officer couldn't cheat after you took pictures and videos of the weight. I myself would have told him that I would pay at the next town.

[@johnruetz3849]

Back in the 1960's I was north bound on I-75 north of Cincinnati, Ohio .At the rest area there was a sign that said all trucks must enter. The P.U.C.O. was giving inspections. As part of our safety equipment was the three flag and reflector sets. I had two flags regulation size and two flags larger. So that makes me having one extra flag and all regulation size or larger. The P.U.C.O. officer wrote me a warning ticket for insufficient red flags. When I complained, he said they had to write at least ten tickets and they hadn't gotten anyone yet and I was the first one. In other words , I got a warning ticket for obeying the law.

[@Middleman570]

I can understand your anger. I was hauling calves to Vaca Coral in Kansas I went through the Kansas scales. I was under gross but over on my drives. I wasn’t decked out and I didn’t use my kitchen because I was using a portable shoot. So I had to get in my trailer open the kitchen door move 3 calves in and then move 3 from in front of the cut gate back. I was stomped and shit on for over an hour. I had to strip down and crawl into my truck on the passenger side in my underwear. After all that, I pulled around to reweigh and they had closed and locked up the scale. They had watched me go through all that and went to lunch. I should have told them I just load the calves I don’t tell them where to stand.

[@clarkwade9437]

I just got back from a road trip to Idaho and I see a lot of those cattle truck and trailers have extra drop axles. If you have 4 axles on the trailer and 4 on your truck what can you legally gross? Thanks Clark

[@wallysworkin823]

Hit the like and subscribe to help Jax pay his fine!

[@BillNye-bj5vi]

he gets paid to do his job he failed.

[@colebertils7359]

Hurts to hear this Jax. I’ve had very little trouble with DOT. That being said I run local hauling gravel. But here in MN I could get very screwed if I’m over on axles which is easy to do with a dump truck pulling a pup. Only once did an officer ask very politely if we could pull a tape. I said absolutely because I will learn something too. Pulled the tape and he asked if I’d be coming back through the scale and I said yes sir I’ve got more loads to go today. He said ok I’d like to see you take a ton off your truck and put it on your trailer. I said yes sir I’ll try. Next trip he waved me through. Another time had our local lead officer training in a new guy. Pulled me in on a roadside check, climbed up on the side of my truck, looked in the box and said looks like you still got room in there…get outta here! Yes sir 🫡

[@butchs6099]

Hard to maintain self control dealing with cops like this. But you came out the better man. Glad you stuck to your guns. Have had encounters of the worst kind in MN I-94 scales, Eugene OR and Fort Lee NJ. Retired now after 42 years. Survived the harsh realities of trucking. Stay strong.

[@wjslingerland]

One thing I loved about hauling livestock in Canada is every time I get pulled into a scale for anything my first question to the officer is are you willing to take on full responsibility of the animals in my trailer while you detain me? Most of them did not want that and just let us go before looking at anything because it’s easier to turn a blind eye to potential issues before doing an inspection. One scale we cross a lot has been doing a blitz on cow trucks because he’s found a bunch of heavy ones and a bunch of ones without an elog so a few guys called CFIA (Canadian food inspection agency) and they sat there to ensure no loaded trucks were detained longer than necessary and if they were cfia would threaten the dot with endangering the wellbeing of an animal or some other silly charge and we would get set free pretty quick.

[@travisjohnson7034]

As a new trucker, I thank you for this video! I was told to always be nice but after this, I’m not playing their game. I’m sorry for what happened, but this video is going to help guys like me and I thank you for that!

[@nrthrnstncrft2420]

Very helpful story, thanks for putting it out there. Learning to hold your ground legally is so valuable - especially when it involves your passion.

[@edfrawley4356]

Knew a grain hauler taking wheat into Nabisco in Toledo grossing 140,000 on an Ohio OS/OW permit. He was caught speeding on I75 about a mile from the state line. The speeding ticket was not that much but it voided his permit so he was scaled and found to be 60k overweight The ticket for that was well over $10k.

[@PrinterSmithCom]

Note to all truckers: The loading party is 100% responsible to provide accurate weight. They must pay the ticket if it's wrong. Always know your empty weight before going in. Never leave the yard without weighing. ASK where the nearest scale is and go weigh before you leave town. OR, make them weigh each cow as they load! DON'T put yourself in this situation....it's just not worth it!

[@martymartian9820]

Absolutely! Anything would have been cheaper. He knew he was over and still left with the load. Dumb if he's a career driver.

[@louskunt9798]

This is not true. The driver carries the ultimate responsibility for the weight, NOT the loading party. If the loading party was responsible then the law would specify that they get the fine, but they don’t. The driver gets the fine because it’s always the drivers ultimate responsibility. It’s still a crummy thing for something to do, overloading us. ✌️

[@mplsmn101]

@@louskunt9798yes and no because the shipper has to sign the BOLs stating they certify the weight, packaging, product ect is correct so technically they also can be held responsible

[@louskunt9798]

@ if they had any legal responsibility they would/could also get a ticket, wouldn’t they?

[@BillNye-bj5vi]

this driver failed

[@leokelly359]

I was a long haul trucker for 10 yrs. I dealt with a lot of DOT they were A- holes then good to see they haven't changed

[@junkboxgarageOG]

I want to know how it dropped 1600lbs. Like, was the cop lying to begin with?

[@krisptaco]

@@junkboxgarageOG cows are constantly peeing and pooping, and naturally burning calories in cold weather

[@junkboxgarageOG]

@@krisptaco ok, but the manure is still on the trailer regardless of whether it’s in the cow or not lol. I can understand pee trickle out of the trailer. 1600lbs in 2.5 hours? How rapidly do they burn calories. Somethings not adding up.

[@krisptaco]

@@junkboxgarageOG Oh I wouldn't doubt for a second that the officer fudged the original numbers. Just saying, cows will lose some weight as they sit there.

[@flatnicable]

Pssst, have you guys considered he might have "lied" on his numbers the second time, to cut Jax a break? Why is everyone always a villain? There's only one in this story that actually, provably, broke the law....

[@junkboxgarageOG]

@@flatnicable zero chance he fudged the numbers on the second weigh, why would he? After fighting with him over 300lbs that whole time and refusing after his supervisor told him to. You really think he would drop 1600lbs off? I’m not saying Jax wasn’t in the wrong for being overweight but something definitely stinks over there and it’s not the manure.

[@lindsaylittle6535]

So sorry to hear this, my friend. I have been in this business 54 years. This is what customers fail to see on their side of things. I sure hope your people you do business with will have some empathy with your situation. No wonder so many drivers have called it quits.

[@robm901]

DOT officers are so unqualified this particular officer should be fired and lose his pension

[@angelodominick3752]

So the weights didn't match ? Or was it that you took pics of the reweigh..

[@FL.AirBoater]

Here in Florida I’ve got pulled over by FHP and he gave me a ticket for no seatbelt, with the situation, there was no way he could tell if my seatbelt was on or not and I went to court and beat the fine and he was pissed off! Enjoy your videos from Central Florida brother stay safe

[@ScottBoggs-ml2qn]

I had the same situation in Indiana a couple years ago. I just paid it though.

[@Kevin-fs3qd]

​@@ScottBoggs-ml2qnthen grow some balls son

[@johnruetz3849]

I once worked with a guy that was pulling a covered wagon and he was pulled in to be weighed on portables. They told him to pull up on them and he refused and told them to jack him up and slide them under because he might damage his truck if he accidently slid off of them. They did and after weighing, the weighman said "You must be empty" and he said" I am". They weighman asked him why he didn't tell them he was empty and he replied" You didn't ask . " They told him to get out of there and he told them to jack him back up and pull out the scales. They did.

[@Cyrus_The_Virus_00]

If that DOT officer is keen on being unprofessional and toying with your career, make sure you report them, make a complaint and talk to a lawyer.

[@EddieV19]

Since when do they make you pay the ticket up front? I thought they write the ticket and you can go to court and X amount of days to pay it. Wouldn’t paying on the spot be considered bribing an officer?

[@davidbeechy1557]

Most DOT officers get off on making you think they’re doing you a favor by only take your leg rather then arm and leg.

[@poofdarez9415]

Get ahold of the Governor. Sounds like a shake down and the guy has a money problem.

[@I_Am_Your_Problem]

You losers and "fowow der mhoney".

[@theamerican7131]

your funny

[@hillbillywisdom777]

If the application of a law is discretionary then it is NO law at all. I've used this defense before and they have no argument against it.

[@truckertruckertrucker6382]

You are absolutely right. You did the right thing. Started off polite and humble, then asked nicely, the progressed to I asked nicely.

[@scottgrote4405]

I was hauling out of an elevator in NW ND several years ago. I was loaded from a trip scale so my load was always within 500 lbs. Got pulled over and weighed about a mile from the mill I was headed to. The officer said I was 6100 lbs heavy. No way impossible. After paying my fine and loosing the argument the officer gave me his cell number to call him back and tell him what the scale said at the mill because others had complained the weights weren’t correct. Mill scale said I weighed 94,300 which is only 300 lbs over. He never did answer his phone when I called him back.

[@19jessejames83]

Those kind of officers is a big part of the reason why I quit driving brother 21 years of driving and it's been 4 year of not driving and i realy don't miss it that much.

[@robertfitzsimmons2507]

I'd take that to a lawyer and see what they think. Definitely unprofessional people in those positions of power need to be put in check

[@flatnicable]

Is it professional to not knowing what your total weight is before setting off? Not sure what the lawyer would think, to be honest....

[@George-i7p]

​@@flatnicablehey foreigner like I said before keep your opinions and comments to yourself and worry about your own country! Bootlicker

[@flatnicable]

​@@George-i7psure thing boss! 🫡 I still care for other people's safety, no matter where they live. If that pisses you off, I'm ok with that.

[@jackjunkerman9971]

I am curious. I have seen where some folks subscribe to a 24/7 attorney service that they use during traffic stops. Is there such a an attorney service for independent truck drivers?

[@Josh-qy5gv]

Any time they use to pop up scale and weighing by the axle you are allowed a grace percentage. In Michigan I think it's pretty big like 5-10% It is always worth getting a lawyer Jax

[@tyler7433]

its 3% here in PA suitcase or station (unless your on interstate in which case you get a goose egg)

[@stevenkovacs2766]

Yes it's 10 percent per axle in Michigan.

[@danrose3233]

The calibration of a scale that has to weigh each set of tires separately and then summed together would be off by way more than 300lbs. Total BS.

[@Deryl-n9y]

Respect for you, for standing up for your rights. Most government people have no idea what it takes to run a business. They just put in there 8 hours and go home. That is what is wrong with government they never have make a paycheck it is just given to them. Hope your trucking friend and the cattle company step up to make it right with you.

[@shaydelady1508]

Ooooya, I want that body camera footage. This is happening wayyyyyy to often to our American Truckers! This happened to my hubby in North Dakota and the DOT nailed him for over 5 grand. I will say, however, the officer did give him a chance to re-weigh a few times but to no avail. What slays me the most is he was only 4 miles out of town!! 4 miles!!! The officer could have let him go back and off load some, but nope!! He was a heavy equipment hauler to begin with so if the papers aren't exact numbers, it gets expensive quick. He's been out of O/O for a few years now but is thinking of getting back into it. I think I'll show him this video beforehand.

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Laws are laws...

[@shaydelady1508]

@@beckyumphrey2626 Laws are not black and white, there are gray areas. To suggest laws are laws is ignorant in my opinion. Are we to believe you've NEVER broken a law? Have you ever driven over the speed limit on purpose or accidently? See, there are gray area's when it comes to laws. He didn't commit a murder; he was overweight which is a traffic violation. This is an extreme difference. Not to mention that some scales can be inaccurate. This officer wanted to be a jerk and was. He could have let Jax call someone to off load a few head of cattle but NOPE! He wanted to be a jerk. Jax did the right thing by demanding he be weighed again. 3 grand is still downright outrageous to pay! Not all truck drivers are bad people, just like not all officers are, but this particular officer surely was a Richard Cranium.

[@flatnicable]

​@shaydelady1508 I'm sorry.. Laws are grey areas? No matter how you break a law, it's still breaking a law. That is very much black and white. Just because people get away with it most of the time is not a very good excuse. Best of luck over there.... And no, he didn't "commit murder", but what would you say if a 5 ton overweight kettle hauler flattened a family SUV cause he couldn't stop in time? Blame the SUV? Blame the DOT "jerk" for not doing his job? I'm not saying Jax is a bad person, but this video and comment section clearly proves there a massive cultural problem in the hauling business...

[@hereintranzit]

@@beckyumphrey2626 U n i t w i t, regulations are not laws and these are f’n regulations. If 10K lbs overweight is sooo f’n unsafe for “the general public” and is such a f’n crime, then how come that $100 overweight permit makes it all safe and ok? (I’ve been in heavy haul for over 20 years and I moved hundreds of over dimensional and overweight loads and it’s unbelievable how some dollars and a piece of paper called “permit” makes it all safe and legal) This driver loaded at a facility that has no truck scales and had to take the word of the shipper, right? Then he was some fifteen miles from where he loaded with no truck scale facility in between when he was stopped by this DoTostiferButtlole and handed an $8,000 ticket.

[@palladini9718]

I once hauled a load, It loaded at place where you could see the Pacific Ocean, it was going to Toronto, Ontario Canada. I drove until I got to Lewiston, spent the night there, and in the Morning put 75 gallons of fuel on and headed north. about 5 miles up the road, there was an open weigh scale. I went over the scales and on comes the red light. I grabbed all the paperwork and walked into the scale house, I get in there, he hands me a ticket from an adding machine, and says " your the first to ever come across my scale like that." The number at the bottom of that adding machine receipt was 80,000, and all my axles were right

[@tonytrylinski3364]

Fight that ticket. 1600 lbs discrepancy doesn’t make sense . I would suggest the scales used are unreliable thus should not hold up in court

[@Boomhauer333]

To me, it feels like that DOT officer wanted to intentionally shaft the driver. I would like to know more details, such as does the officer get a percentage $ of the fine, and if so how much does he get after writing someone such a hefty fine 🤔

[@Boomhauer333]

And if that's the case, he should be thoroughly investigated to see how many drivers fell victim to his unlawful practices.

[@adventuresofrob5989]

Good on you Jax, that is my hometown area. I feel the same way about DOT and I respond the same way, keep a level head and always push back. Doesn't always work out, but then go to the states attorney next if it is an unfair ticket. Hang in there like the rest of us and keep truckin!! Rob

[@rodneymccall5399]

100% correct. People that are not self employed and only invest a lunch box in their job have no idea.

[@geezer652]

exactly why in 35 years I never owned my own. drive the boss mans and let him worry about all the expense. tires, oil changes, fuel, taxes and all the rest of the crap. and I go home and sleep like a baby every night. no ulcers either.

[@rodneymccall5399]

You always jumped thru his hoops. Those who take the biggest risks reap the biggest reward.

[@geezer652]

@@rodneymccall5399 - Yeah, but how much of a reward is it when $8000 chunks of it are taken back by a corrupt "justice" system? Then I'm driving for a company, with a Pre-Pass transponder in my windshield driving right on by, no ulcers. I've driven for a couple of O/O's, and spent half of my weekends outback doin' tire work, changing oil, greasing zerks for nothing extra. "Just Part of the Job" he says........ NO THANK YOU!!!

[@shawnbaugh7191]

Fight this in court! I fight everything in court! To all drivers out there! DO NOT ACCEPT A WARNING! Request a ticket. A ticket can be fought in court and dismissed, a warning will go on your CVSA and the companys CVSA for up to 3 years if it is not fought!

[@TCWM21]

Road Pirates!

[@Mohawk21-oi1nit]

HIGHWAYMEN!!!!

[@A98Wheeler]

Nov 16th 2024 Trucking Life with Shawn posted a video "inside look inside scales with the DOT". Interesting watch. One takeaway was the DOT Officer said if you sit on the scales with your brakes applied, the weight will continue to increase. One particular scale house with a single axle weigh pad you need to set the brakes for the weights to even out. Could it be the same for portable scales? You sit there with foot on brake until they indicate to pull forward. Isn't an APU exemption like 400# also?

[@doughamm5590]

Yea S. Dakota DOT sucks. Dealt with them b4 when was driving

[@tomhoffman7196]

Good job standing up for yourself. The cattle buyer knew very well what those cattle weighed. I’ll be surprised if he does anything to make it right with you. Good luck.

[@bradbundy1471]

Sorry that happened to you Jax! You give a Twinkie a little power and this is what happens. If i was his Supervisor and he tallked to me like that and THEN hung up on me I'd have him in the office to fire his ass Lickadee Split! Take this to the higher ups. This can't stand! Thank you for all you do for us as Americans! 👍 🇺🇸 💪

[@scottwyland2197]

Years ago a DOT officer cut me slack when I was green and he told me, you & I are in same industry in a work relationship, just like we punch time clock at same shop. We respect each other. Later found out he was a owner operator at one time.

[@ronniesandlin6305]

I been driving for 48 years and I would like to Shake your hand for standing up to that BS

[@gailjohnson6670]

Still a terrible high priced fine at $3407!! Highway robbery.. Margin of profit is slim in trucking with all the different aspects of trucking has to deal with...Should have DOT officers ride with truckers for a month, doing paper work and paying all the expenses. The shippers where drivers load should be a requirement to have certified scales on location. Thank you for the video. Blessings to you..

[@wy0c0wb0y]

I sent this to the Governor of South Dakota. She needs to know about this! She prides herself on South Dakota being business friendly, but this speaks volumes.....

[@I_Am_Your_Problem]

You red state clowns...

[@madtrapper8301]

Yea good luck with that she’s on to bigger and better things now

[@ifronnin]

@@madtrapper8301 not yet, that doesn’t start until late January.

[@bellboy4074]

I would have gone to court. Never heard of paying a ticket on the spot. A judge probably would have cut it in half.

[@stevenmiller6725]

Portable scale cannot accurately weigh a livestock load. Has to be a whole truck scale. Could have been 5000 over could have been 15000 lbs. We will never know.

[@jonmccormick8683]

With the cows moving around the portable wheel scale is not accurate with all the necessary reweighs.

[@davidpaget3189]

are the mobile scales accurate compared to the proper in road scales???

[@ifronnin]

I used to work in Selby. I’ve met the DOT guys that run the Selby area. That scale is open more often than you would think. They’re good guys but absolutely do not care if they give you a huge ticket. SD DOT don’t mess around. They are more likely to inspect you than MN, ND, MT, IL, WI, IA, IN, and NE (according to a company I worked for last summer). We tried to stay out of SD as much as possible. We had a dedicated route from Wahpeton, ND to DeKalb, IL so only our back hauls were affected. To be fair, our roads in SD are poorly made. Every thousand pounds over makes a huge difference to the quality of our roads. If they’re putting these fines to repair our roads then I don’t condemn them quite so much. Was this the short dude with clunky shoes? I think he grew up in Eureka. I forget if he drives a black car or a white truck… Or was it the guy that usually wears a ball cap and drives a dark pickup truck? You said it was a guy, so it wasn’t the lady Trooper that lives in Selby. Was he a big guy, or was he slim? I shared the video to the SD Highway Patrol KZbin channel. This officer is an embarrassment to our state.

[@Boomhauer333]

Sounds like there is a lot of corruption going on in SD and someone is making big bucks from shafting drivers.

[@kennethness4368]

34 yrs trucking I 've always told myself be polite & professional.

[@lancepearson4035]

Good for you mate - sorry you had to even go through that experience - hope you get help with the final total.

[@lancepearson4035]

@Jax - Actually this may be a dumb question but can you get tractor axles fitted with load cells hooked up to a scale in the cab so that you can self check your load at the pickup point?

[@buchanansleeve7427]

A cow can typically cost between $2,500 and $3,000 on average, depending on its breed, age, and quality, with a mature cow potentially reaching a price between $4,000 and $5,000; So you should have asked him if he wanted 3 of them and called it good.

[@brandonrumley8322]

How can that dot guy not listen to his supervisor?

[@rhoadesX24]

Gotta treat them how they treat us. Glad you stuck with it. Badges definitely get heavy at times.

[@jodibrown7503]

There are so many things wrong with this interaction. The scales either need re-calibrated or he was lying. I'm leaning towards he was lying based on his reaction to you getting out and checking the scales each time you weighed. I would bet the ranch if you had not gotten out and done that, you'd have been paying the $8k. And pay on the spot? that large sum?! that's crazy. I also think this dude is a liability to his employer and needs removed from his job or moved elsewhere. From the sounds of it, he was instigating and inflammatory and is begging for an altercation. Reminds me of a silver Seabright banty rooster that is a relentless flogger and refuses to back off his attack.

[@georgejudd9215]

I was stopped by an Illinois State Trooper who hated the company I was driving for, I was grateful to have a job ! I pulled out of the sand pit and have to drive 2 miles to the scale house , but was stopped by this Trooper and then wrote me a ticket, then demanded I pay 500 dollars. I was a poor kid no money with kids at home and this guy wanted his 500 bucks. I told him to take me to jail and he stared at me and said are you kidding! I said no and he said u r going to jail! I said ok that make you responsible for my truck! My boss got me out of jail and paid the fine. Now 2 years later I became a city police officer and have a place in my heart for Truckers. The Trooper was stopped by me later by me for speeding and I wrote him a ticket and that trooper kept flashing his star/badge and wanted a break, he didn’t even realize who I was the poor kid he took to jail for over weight.

[@throttlewatch4614]

Literally highway robbery 😡

[@mvoorheis]

Just finished your video regarding the Dept of Transportation and their demi-Gods . . . one of the most enjoyable videos you have ever posted. It was real, honest and to the point. I hope that you are reimbursed. You really did get "set-up", even if not intentionally. Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas season! :)

[@Curtislow2]

I have a sneaky feeling his candidate lost. You handled it as a professional. I would pursue! I have similar experience with the IRS in the late 80's. I ended up paying "0"!

[@fighter4christ7]

Weight in my opinion is almost complete BS. It should be enforced to an extent, but they tell us the limits are for public safety. But you can buy a permit in most cases and now you’re safe again. Complete BS. Also never agreed with the ticket due at the scale, what kind of legal theft is that!? Guys with guns telling you to pay now. WRONG. Glad you got some good people around you to help you around this, those citizens and those officers believe it or not are glad to have you on the road because you’re needed there. Keep trucking on🤘