The most dangerous truck fleet in New Mexico

[@Jerzeyguy]

If this was a private company the city would have fined the hell out of them!!

[@tooge47]

it's all part of the just-us system. One set of rules for you and I, another set for "them."

[@Wafflez0007]

Why am i watching this? I don't even live close to New Mexico.

[@campervanelvisitoofonyou8720]

Kiko Lol, neither do I, why should I give a shit about New Mexico ???

[@Trashman702]

Kiko Because the same shit is happening where you live too

[@El_LeChErO91]

New mexico is a beautiful state on the other hand of this negligent company

[@Newman81964]

Many years back, when I worked as a mechanic for a trucking company, one of the drivers stopped by the garage with a truck and trailer asking me to adjust the brakes because they didn't feel right. I crawled under the trailer and came right back out and told him that trailer was going no where and I was pulling it out of service. All the brake drums on the trailer were broke and missing. The main office wanted me to sign off on the repair so they could send the trailer down the road. I refused and made them transfer the load off that trailer and onto another trailer. If something were to happen because of the brake drums being broke off, it doesn't just come back against the company, but it would have come back on me for signing off on the repair when the repair wasn't completed first. I had to pull all the trailer wheels and replace the brakes and brake drums and the brake hardware. Repair too 1/2 day because we kept most of the supplies in stock. We just had to run to the local trailer company and buy the 4 brake drums.

[@shimxininahi8024]

Kudos to your loyalty and commitment. Your action save lives! The Fleet Operations Mg does not have it and the rest of the county, too. After the Vietnam conflict, my NAM-VET E-7 Chief brother in-law grounded the US Army fleet after discovering a design flaw that contributes to be cracked. His Brass was Furious and wanted him replaced claiming he lack the authority. It went all the way up to the pentagon's approval. That smirking during the interview attitude is so lame. He deserve to be fired. "Maybe we should not be picking up trash."

[@robovac3557]

This coulda been 3 lines long. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@Al_Nunnery]

Thank You HERO'.. I'm an over the road truck driver 47 years old been out here 28 years now..I I've been in similar situations where I reported a defect with brakes or brake lines and told the shop the shop foreman tells his boss and then they tell him to send it on out on the road anyway..which I refused to pull the trailer..So they told me to pick another Trl on the yard and Roll Out. So I found a different trailer and went on about my business as I was leaving the yard another driver I pulled around there I hooked up to the trailer unsafe Trailer., hooked up to the trl & left. I told him on the cb ..Hey Bud that' trailer your Gettin Has to Have Brakes Put on ..his reply was quote :: it just came out of the shop where it just had its inspection done and everything's good on it it had two brake pods that were Cammed Over and 2 brake chambers were CAGED .

[@halbos7637]

If you think this is a ho hum story, that would D change had a close Family member had been adversely affected by one of these vehicles in an accident.

[@fhuber7507]

The entire staff in charge of that fleet needs to be fired and prosecuted.

[@ROTAXD]

F Huber not necessarily true. You may have some excellent mechanics there who are told not to do the work. I've seen this more than once.

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

Nope, just the boss, and he knows it......

[@ROTAXD]

Ttrucker problem is...it's not just some trucking company. These drivers have most likely been told to stfu or you'll never hold a position in this city again. The union won't lift a finger to help an honest employee 9 times out of 10 when it's a municipality they're fighting.

[@screamineagle88]

Oh geez, I have so much to say about this subject. I was in a similar situation with a national refuse company. They were trying to force me to drive what I knew was an unsafe truck. I was a trainee, and thank goodness I had a way back to my old job. I quit that company and went back to my old job, even though I was giving up almost twice the pay. The way the system is set up, if something goes wrong, it's the driver being hung out to dry. And to those who say just refuse to drive that truck. Well if you don't drive that truck, you don't work that day and loose a days pay. Then you come back the next day and the same truck is there waiting for you. Still unfixed. How many days can you loose on a pay check?

[@pamelahomeyer748]

I was driving around in a semi truck training for my license and I found out the trucks were not even insured. I left there immediately and found another job

[@ronhugepenis7275]

save money on maintenance more money for managers bonus check

[@stss9552]

Cops aren't going to give city trucks tickets...

[@ROTAXD]

Jb Hanson the trucks don't get ticketed...the drivers do. And after only a couple of tickets...the company or municipality fires the driver. It's a great way to keep the personnel door revolving and keep from having to give paid vacation time.

[@bryan1282]

+ROTAXD not the driver either, I hit a car once with the side arm just a warning, city paid for car repair, I wouldn't worry about the cops, one of my coworkers has been in 4 accidents, reduces to laborer for 1 year.

[@Beas7ie]

Yep, it's all on the driver. The companies did a lot of lobbying back in the 90's to early 00's with "We try and get all our drivers to ensure the trucks are repaired and maintained but they never listen" crap. It sucks but most of the decent companies will be sure to let you have lots of opportunities for drivers to bring the truck in for maintenance and require different maintenance types every certain amount of miles driven. Some will also pay you a small bonus(like $100 or so) if you get stopped by police and you pass their inspection. This can even be as simple as the officer just wanting to check the paperwork and can only take a few minutes. I got a bonus when I was a driver after the officer checked the paperwork and did a quick walk around to check all the lights.

[@ranmasaotome1943]

ROTAXD .

[@danielponton1075]

ROTAXD actually, the driver does not always get a ticket, as long as his HOS is current, but the truck should get put out of service which means no one can drive that truck until it is fixed and put back in service, however when you have your own shop, you pencil wipe a lot of the issues.

[@hjackwingo]

Government at it's finest

[@AlarakTheHighLord]

"It's a fleet of garbage trucks" is that a pun?

[@shanghakatashi7916]

I would have called my lawyer if I got fired for contacting the city over legit safety concerns which the company refuses to fix. It's against the law for companies to do that, especially if it's a concern that puts the drivers and others in danger. Since in this case, the government owns the trucks, I would have a legit reason to sue the city, and lawyers will gladly pick up the case if it's reasonable.

[@Gears.and.Gadgets]

Boy talk about one trashed operation....

[@elistein7303]

George W hahahahaha

[@tonymosthated168]

George W *face palm*

[@westernamericantrashtrucks]

It is clear that whoever is managing the solid waste truck fleet is completely lying in the interview.

[@ConriOakfield]

Eric is so obviously lying. Not sure about NM, but here in NY a driver cannot legally be fired for refusing to drive a vehicle with a legitimate safety concern. Any one of those listed in this report would be cause for a driver to refuse to drive the unit, whether it is a private or public fleet.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Laws are different from state to state. Yes it's legal for a driver to refuse to drive an unsafe truck but he has no protection from retaliation. New York is a lot stricter in many areas that in New Mexico.

[@te4bag_k1ngp1n]

@@muffs55mercury61 the federal DOT protects you from retaliation.

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@te4bag_k1ngp1n Yes the law is on the books but drivers still get fired because the company knows the driver will have to get a lawyer and most cannot afford one. I've seen it happen. Most lawyers won't take unlawful termination cases without a huge amount up front, at least that's what I'm told.

[@michaelovitch]

0:30 You can fit in 90 % of the cars in this description...

[@Daltoncom]

The operations manager is a young unqualified individual who more than likely hires friends and family. They are all more than likely unqualified and thinking they can skate by with no oversight getting a cushy government paycheck and benefits.

[@johnbeckman8916]

I agree 100%. He too, knew someone or blew someone.

[@alaexpectativaentodo7066]

He is got his cousin pedro Jose Javier luis carlos Fernando, as drivers, and juan pancho and maike and Rafael running the pathetic maintenance shop.

[@ryanwills9757]

@@alaexpectativaentodo7066 hey dont diss Jose,hes top tier

[@willbaack7997]

Hey we did oil changes!

[@northerntraveller3180]

One set of rules for government another for private truckers.

[@yosheyoshe9767]

where's all the crashs, people being hurt or killed by these trucks ?

[@rexluminus9867]

yoshe yoshe. YES SHOW SOME PROOF THAN TALK TRASH. UNTILL THAN IT'S JUST TRASH TALK.*****

[@PhayzinOut]

If it was your POV, the state wouldn't ask the same to you. They'd fine/tow your vehicle

[@RalphERo824]

They misinformed everyone when they say they expect you to not drive the truck when it is in violation. Most companies and all state entities will either fire you or put you on unpaid leave if you refuse to drive a truck that does not meet DOT requirements. Those requirements are. meant to be adhered to so the public will be safe and the driver will be safe.

[@lolmock25]

Ralph Rose I quit a job first day and told the owner his whole fleet is a big P.O.S

[@jimmygrant3212]

lolmock25 did you tell the owner he was a POS too?

[@yourhandlehere1]

They require me to take a drug test, I require them to take a truck test. If either of us fail...I don't drive.

[@RalphERo824]

mharris1270 actually he is talking about the pre-employment drug screen. That is a company idea not the DOT. The company has it done to satisfy their insurance company.

[@rexluminus9867]

Ralph Rose. Just all cars are unsafe many times ! No difference to puplick vehicles.

[@yourhandlehere1]

As a driver I would just refuse to drive a truck needing brakes or air, retaliation or not. If you agree to drive it and you kill somebody it's on you too. Part of your responsibility as a driver is to ensure your vehicle is working properly whether it's your own or a company vehicle. Something screws up out on the road in a company truck, I park it and tell them to come get it.

[@bf7605]

Having worked in that industry for many years I can tell you this is not an abnormal thing. This is actually more common then people might think, I'd go as far as saying to the point of being normal. This definetly isn't unique to Santa Fe. This may be a little bit more extreme because i can say garbage companies get pissed when drivers write up their trucks in certain ways. The drivers writing things such as specifically saying the truck is dangerous is equivalent to slapping them in the face. Maintenance becomes quite good at signing inspection reports in ways that absolve them of liability. Things like "issue does not affect safe operation of vehicle, parts on order" is probably most used. But specifically saying it's dangerous kind of takes that option away.

[@SuperAgentman007]

4:28 I do know that if one of the city trucks were involved in an accident that would have caused a fatality the city would be sued as well as a supervisor. Also people would be in jail

[@mr.robinson1982]

Why am I watching this 4 years later & I don't live close to New Mexico.

[@josephfuller6229]

I worked for almost 2 years on a trash truck the company had 6 routes and 12 trucks average shift was 12 hours thankfully we had a good mechanic

[@josephjakubec9584]

Their fleet maintenance has been an embarrassment for decades along with other government entities in New Maxico. If they can't provide safe trucks to pick up the trash there is always privatation. It's a phone call away. Don't act like government t has no options. I have 40 years in government fleet maintenance, am no fan of privatation but there is no excuse to maintain a fleet like this city has. Failure starts at the highest level of manangement and works down.

[@archerbob6847]

They had and probably still have this problem in the airline industry where the mechanics inspect and write a report that their SUPERVISOR then can overrule, edit or destroy and nothing is investigated or done about until enough deaths occur.

[@hazetiva]

Welcome to New Mexico, Land of Welfare

[@josephchambers5390]

The irony that the trash truck is actually trash!

[@ColAngus]

It's all about bonuses,keep the expenses low and management gets a nice fat bonus.

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

This is obviously a safety issue, but garbage trucks rarely exceed 20mph. A couple days ago I saw a guy hauling about 15 pieces of furniture down the freeway in the back of his pickup truck with 2 bungee cords. The cops didn't care. And that's pretty fucking dangerous if you ask me.

[@robertphillips6296]

Do the Drivers have an Option to Red Line a Vehicle for safety and are they Unionized?

[@bradcarter7388]

most government entities especially transportation are exempt most of the time from DOT inspection

[@PuttPutt8084]

Lots of KICK BACKS!

[@MsColetha]

Is there an update on this story?

[@countryshaner141]

And there is a woman who has never driven or worked on a truck is in charge of maintenance. That makes no sense. Affirmative action at its finest

[@chrislee7392]

i am a driver in the uk if we have a problem of safety related we can take the lorry to a government testing station and if proven it has to stay there until it is fixed and uk law is on the drivers side and if it is brakes or steering a task force is sent to the operators depot that night and shuts them down until ALL vehicles have been retested and any that are out have to be at there nearest test station first thing the next working day the police are notified to pull any of them thy see until ALL vehicles are roadworthy the operator has to keep them all in the depot or parked up where they are tested and if to many fail the license to operate is revoked and the vehicle [if roadworthy] have to be returned to the depot with any loads they are carrying at the time vehicle insurance is canceled so new cover has to be found to cover the return trip to home depot and the driver that started it all gets a mark on his licence as a warning for driving a dangerous vehicle on the road no fine or points just a warning so it dose not go down as a official infringement this includes ALL local gov vehicles as well. fire police and ambulance fire any drivers who take a vehicle out that is not roadworthy and there is no second chance for that driver they are gone on the spot even if it is only 5 minutes into there shift

[@JamesSmith-vw6sh]

I wanna know who the competition is and how much more are they paying.

[@fuzzybutkus3951]

Common knowledge to every heavy duty wrecker driver. Garbage trucks always waaay overweight and brakes will be out of adjustment if not in operationNo one wants to get under the truck with it leaking garbage juice from god knows what leaking on them. Cleanest truck mechanic I’ve ever seen.

[@Average_Joe87]

This operational manager needs to be fired, and possibly jail time. The city administrators need to be fire and should be charged.

[@LilmissJ111]

I sure would like to see a follow-up on this report, to see if progress has been done.

[@icebergslim287]

I'm the type of driver to down a truck with or without consent from management! Where I work its usually between the mechanic and driver. Drivers do have the right to refuse to drive a truck due to safety issues and sanitary reasons. It's your career and freedom at stake at the end of day.

[@josephfuller6229]

Here in tucumcari NM we have 2 trucks and everyone has the same containers

[@kimberlyokeeffe5360]

He is operations not maintenance. Yes it's his 'job' to know but unless he's in that building all day, every day he will not know. I know because I have worked in heavy duty vehicle maintenance for almost 15 years. No EXCUSE!

[@chuckychuck]

Fuck that, fire them all, what's taxpayer money being spent on.

[@ericwsmith7722]

That "head of operations " seemed pretty young, Why do I have a feeling the last guy to fill that position fixed the trucks, but they were over budget.... Or should I say the budget went to items that buy more votes then trash hauling. This guy is playing the game, he is going to keep his department as under budget as he can,,,, and move on to a bigger department. Let the next guy worry about a fleet that is falling apart.

[@johnmccallum8512]

And the next manager is going to have one hell of a budget overspend when he has to replace every clapped out truck in that fleet.

[@yourhandlehere1]

Nah...the city will just raise the trash rates or add a tax when they are forced to buy new trucks. The people will pay for it one way or another.

[@ericwsmith7722]

Mharris1270, that is how they sell privatization, but it doesn't really work that way, it always costs the city's more. Here is what really happens ; company "A"gives a shit load of money in campaign donations, and this person is such a great civic leader ( and did not get the employees union endorsement anyways ) and it goes out to bid ( with the bid specs practically hand written by company "A" with a low first year price on a 10, 15 or 20 year contract... that almost immediately sky rockets , and do the workers get that money ? LOL What ends up happening is you replace decent paid city workers with low paid privet workers for more cost to the tax payers, I am not being cynical, I have seen this over and over again...99% of the time a politician says "this company can save us money" it ALWAYS costs more. And its always the wrong people who get the money.

[@freightking2670]

you can look at the body language from the operations manager that he doesn't care.

[@burningexperience6031]

great reporting!

[@simonrichard9873]

Those trucks look so clean! Yet they don't care about regular maintenance.

[@avii9058]

Sounds like my old BTRY's motorpool at Fort Drum lol. Show me the 5988s

[@HunterShows]

Nothing will change until someone is hurt. Then comes the lawsuit. Then comes the change. Great country.

[@antfbi]

i love the opening! its so good in a funny way.

[@bryanblack526]

The driver has the right to refuse to drive an unsafe vehicle.

[@Tadervader100]

Sounds like our trucks in the armored truck industry. Our trucks are mechanical and electrical death traps

[@fletcher3913]

What is the only organization able to ignore government regulation? That would be the government?

[@juliogonzo2718]

Garbage trucks are obscenely expensive to maintain. Buddy of mine worked on "maggot wagons" 2 month brake shoe lifespan, melted s-cam bushings not abnormal. He had to weld patches inside container. Ick!

[@alexsbikesandmotors]

wtf does slipshod mean?

[@christopherscallio2539]

In Maryland the County & City School Bus' are not subject to Md. DOT Laws. Although contracted School Bus companies are subject to Md. DOT.

[@southernNMRail-Refuse18]

6:12 mad respect

[@Bigrignohio]

"We will have a report made by an outside agency, but the report will only go to us".

[@stinkbandit]

WTF do you need an outside review agency to come in. This isn't rocket science. Your trans supervisors are incompetent. All you're doing is wasting more money.

[@s0nnyburnett]

No surprise here. Trucks always get driven into the ground, the driver always loses his job and nothing ever gets fixed.

[@rc3140]

I would start making trucks Underivable and se how they like that. That fuckin supervisor looks like he needs that smirk wiped off his face with a chair!!!

[@ChooseLanes]

must have been a shortage of news in new mexico

[@edmondascolese8349]

How they'll get out of it they blame driver.Should never take dangerous truck out of yard.

[@sbains560]

No brakes No drive It’s that easy

[@northerntraveller3180]

If these trucks ever went over a state weigh station. They would all be pulled out of service and towed. How come state inspections are not being performed.

[@maninamask9334]

I work on gArbage trucks I see stuff like this in my city all the time the problem is that it’s a top down problem. Every single one has a oil leak he’ll they come from the factory leaking but if the shop doesn’t have the staff and the budget they can’t do much and the mayors have the final budget say

[@600joe]

Maybe they should pay the mechanics a whopping $15 an hour. Oh then they'll have to compete with the burger flippers.........

[@guitartrashman]

Those look like brand new trucks.

[@frankiethebull8269]

Larry Barker should've seen the Otero County garbage trucks a few years ago....they were leaking E.Coli, Staphylococcus, and Sominella all over the roads for years.

[@Chernobyl_Noble]

Thats a case you "MIGHT" have to look into?

[@JohnCena-qn6ld]

I thought for a second Wait.... isn't Swift in Arizona?

[@knocksensor3203]

It’s not only this city’s problem , there’s other city 300 miles south with crummy buse..

[@SkilledEddie]

So the trash trucks need to go in the trash... lol

[@tdgreenbay]

SkilledEddie no they just need to be maintained properly and someone needs to actually be a leader in the state and city to make damn sure safety is concern no. 1

[@newmexicorefuseentertainme9406]

No they just need to be fixed or sold on public surplus

[@newmexicorefuseentertainme9406]

You never dispose of motor vehicles in landfills

[@MCappy-lw2kb]

Just another example of Government stating...”Do as I say Not as I do...”

[@reidvathy1572]

Leave those poor people alone just doing their jobs

[@DankBlank]

A B? The first couple of minutes showed us a truck with well worn out tires and a damaged radiator

[@rickyrox341]

Good job on half of an investigation. I don't think you went far enough. You might have looked at the money... you know... follow the money. That department has a budget. Either the budget is inadequate which would be unusual for a municipal department. Or, more likely the money is going someplace else. It would be interesting to compare the costs of maintaining that Fleet with another well-managed fleet. I've been in the trucking business. I suspect fiscal malfeasance.

[@willbaack7997]

Yep, no reason for the trucks to ever get that bad. The city buys brand new trucks. If you keep up on the maintenance, there is no excuse for the fleet to be that bad You want your mechanics able to sit around and hop onto the first truck that comes in with problems.

[@newmexicorefuseentertainme9406]

Unfortunately this happens all over government agencies could care less about safety of drivers and staff the trucks that were shown here are some of the best in the market if they were maintained well they probably would still be running with the city this is especially concerning seeing that some of these vehicles are compressed natural gas meaning if they are more prone to blowing up very dangerous and very reckless the city should be ashamed of themselves I’m sure a lot of this is still happening due to new government regulations that need to be put an end to this

[@edwinreyes9341]

city trucks dont get pull over by inspection on scales or road inspections

[@arronmiller7229]

that head guy prob has a giant union behind him so he does what he wants.

[@quintonmchale7997]

SanteFe operations manager Eric lucero said he "might" have to look into the vehicles he KNEW were unsafe, but let on the public roads anyhow. I'll bet samte fe administrators run to the bank to cash their undeserved paychecks

[@elladoz1966]

That grin, is he high , or a smartie pants 🥺

[@hawkeye4324]

@elladoz1966 Nah, just an ignorant corporate stooge.

[@bradleymcwilliams6348]

Two things; If a truck is dangerous, why would the driver leave the yard? He's putting his own life at risk as well as the public. Don't say "He afraid of loosing his job". A decent driver can get a job 30 minutes after walking out the gate from this place. The other side, however, is that we saw all kinds of written reports, but not an actual inspection of the trucks. Would like to have seen random inspections of the trucks to see what condition they are truly in.

[@SuperAgentman007]

I’m surprise the driver that was fired didn’t sue the city for discrimination and whistleblowers act protection

[@michaeltaylor7025]

Where’s the money. No money or diverted?

[@y2kxj]

I bet the manager get a bonus for equipment availablety.

[@hemipower3308]

I don't know what the fuss is all about as soon as one of us is killed by this kind of negligence they will make some repairs.This is over a year old and I am betting nothing has been done yet.

[@rexluminus9867]

Those trucks drive slowly. Very little danger to anything. No big deal at all. They do a great service to us. Just stop complaining so much !***.

[@edwardryce2618]

That were you are wrong they fast as you when they are going to their route sometimes close sometimes far away so when you cut him off thinking he doing 20 he is actually doing 50 and he is behind you coming to a red light

[@Donkeyearsa]

I jave been driving trucks for years and its the drivers who are the ones that get all the shit dropped on them. If they refuse to drive a truck they will be fired for a driver that will drive a broken truck. If they are cought driving a broken truck they are the ones that get the tickets. Its a your fucked if you do and your fucked if you dont situation.

[@shimxininahi8024]

Fired for telling the truth! County failed in every level. No regulations on city fleets is suicide!.

[@muffs55mercury61]

I've never been to Santa Fe but have wanted to just to check it out but if they're allowing death traps onto the streets I don't see myself ever going there. And then this all happened four years ago so things could have changed since then. This also violated federal whisteblower laws as well.

[@jessepeterson8437]

Why are government trucks exempt

[@Kmeith]

Yeah because truck drivers are all master mechanics.

[@chrism8180]

Incase people haven't figured out yet, YOUR OFFICIALS DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOU, THEY CARE ABOUT YOUR MONEY, AND SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR!

[@mikek8632]

If these trucks are this bad then the drivers need to refuse to drive them. The driver is ultimately responsible for the condition of the truck they are driving. If it's unsafe then don't drive it. When the garbage on your route doesn't get picked up the truck will get fixed asap.

[@carikincannon7003]

Why are all of these old volvos? I thought volvos were invincible.

[@davezul4396]

Most civil service supervisors and employees are in the position they hold because, much like the vice president certain qualifications have been met and all the correct boxes have been checked.

[@ryanwills9757]

Trucks would do better than 90%of cars on the road if they were inspected

[@toyota420xp]

its the same thing with the little postal trucks llv's

[@hemihead6645]

Maybe Dump can double deregulate to fix it.

[@ozarksfarmerhansen8782]

In my State the State highway Patrol Commercial Truck division inspects all Government Class A and B Vehicles twice a year and looks at maintenance daIly records, part of this is the State of NM fault for allowing it and giving their State agencies exempt from inspections, a out of State Truck would have been locked up for any of this.

[@satan6169]

As a truck driver your told if u dont wanna drive the truck thats fine go home and we will find someone who will drive it so as a driver you are faced with a choice either drive the truck or go home.