So People Actually Believe this BS?

"SaabLife, because Gripen" (runningtosweden)
06/06/2014 at 13:34 • Filed to: Signs, windshield, magic

A buddy of mine had his windshield pulverized by a large construction truck this morning and right before it pulled away he grabbed a picture of it on his phone.

Turns out, he apparently wasn't going to call his insurance company or the construction company because he thought the "not responsible" sign made these trucks magically excluded from the law.

Are there people out there who actually believe these signs make these trucks any less responsible for causing damage to other vehicles?

DISCUSSION (30)

For Sweden > SaabLife, because Gripen
06/06/2014 at 13:36

If you didn't want your windshield broken, you shouldn't have driven so provocatively.

Frank Grimes > SaabLife, because Gripen
06/06/2014 at 13:38

Kinja'd!!!

I hate these signs! Also the caution this vehicle makes wide right turns and the "help me back up for safety" PLEASE I AM DRIVING MY OWN CAR AND OPERATING MY OWN VEHICLE I DONT NEED TO DO YOUR JOB TOO!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > SaabLife, because Gripen
06/06/2014 at 13:39

We actually have covered this on Oppo before. Mostly, it's on pretty shaky ground, but it indicates the company's willingness to argue with you: "you were warned" and the difficulty of proving something was/wasn't on the road and so on. Obvious negligence remains litigable, obviously.

Wacko > SaabLife, because Gripen
06/06/2014 at 13:40

i don't get it, over here in quebec canada, sign or no sign, you are responsible for your own windshield.

if the truck lost a piece or part of it's load and lands in to my windshield he is responsible. But rocks that fly out of his tires are my problem.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > SaabLife, because Gripen
06/06/2014 at 13:42

I've had a few cracks, but was fixed for free so nothing serious. The only way I could see people successfully hiding behind these signs, is if the trucks they are on has the appropriate cover of the back of it, and is regularly cleaned (so rocks don't get tossed from within the underbelly of the truck), because most of that crap happens because they are too lazy to put those covers over the tops, or they don't have them, or they overfill the truck. The way I see it, is if you drive those hunks of shit on the road at 70 mph, you better be ready for the repercussions if crap isn't properly done. I've been hit in the face with a small rock before going 60, I'm glad I had my sunglasses on.

Meatcoma > Wacko
06/06/2014 at 13:44

Technically rocks that fly out of his tires could go either way. It mainly depends on the situation and the truck. I've seen a company pay for a windshield when a dump truck threw a rock up and cracked a windshield on a gravel road.

Truck drivers are supposed to clear their beds of any debris before getting back on the road here, not Canada!

SaabLife, because Gripen > Wacko
06/06/2014 at 13:46

Oh yeah, I'm right there with you on that. Rocks on the road getting flung up will probably fall on us, in most cases.

But in this case, the top of the truck had one of those protective coverings (that roll up when not in use) and it was retracted. So about 9 or 10 good sized rocks hit his windshield, which isn't a big deal to replace. But it just seemed pretty odd that some people are apparently willing to cover the cost of repairs, when it's an obvious case of negligence on the construction companies part.

BigBlock440 > SaabLife, because Gripen
06/06/2014 at 13:49

Do people actually like broken windshields? It's a warning telling people "hey, shit can fall off, stay back a few feet and save us both the hassle".

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frank Grimes
06/06/2014 at 13:54

The really sad part about the wide turns, is that people are stupid enough to pull into the little gap left open when a semi swings wide for a turn

The good old fashioned saying of "There was never a sign made for no reason" or "Every rule was written because someone did it"

Frank Grimes > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/06/2014 at 13:57

Yeah but I have the unpopular attitude that if it is so common a sign is needed it might be a design problem.

BigBlock440 > Frank Grimes
06/06/2014 at 14:16

What do you suggest?

Mattbob > For Sweden
06/06/2014 at 14:22

that truck was all like "daaamn car, you tryn'a get that windshield smashed?"

cazzyodo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/06/2014 at 14:47

My grandfather was a truck driver for many years. He's 85 years old now and recently had heart surgery so I've been getting more and more stories out of him.

One went something like this (putting in quotes but paraphrasing):

"I was driving my truck through Boston and into Cambridge one night. It was late and I was coming up to a right turn. I signaled right but was in the middle lane to swing the turn...as I was making the turn some little sport car tried to whip down the right lane before me. He had to stop at the corner because I was already onto the street but he was too far forward and my trailer drove over the front of his car, crushing it. I pulled over and got out of the truck to make sure the trailer was ok. The guy was screaming at me and yelling about how I ruined his car and that I would pay for what I did. I pointed at the company name on the side of the trailer and said, "buddy, if you have a problem take it up with them." Then I got in the truck and continued on my way to finish my route."

I was dying laughing, partly in disbelief and partly because I couldn't see my grandfather act like a badass.

Then again, the story he was telling me prior to this one was about how he used to street race in Cambridge when he was in his 20's. He had a 1940 Mercury I believe and he loved to work on it...get it ready for his Friday nights. (During this part my grandmother got really upset because she thought he was being a bad influence in reliving his "glory days")

He leaned back in his chair and mused that he just could not beat a late 30's rat rod. It was his nemesis. He could beat everyone else or at least be competitive but that guy's car was always one step ahead of him. He was able to be a passenger in one of the races and said that while they were going along he was confused because it was like passing parked cars.

The speeds were different then and as time passes the stories become victims of human memory and storytelling but I think that the overall narrative holds true.

I hope so. And I hope I never forget his stories. He was telling me more before his surgery because he didn't think he would wake up from it.

I need to stop typing now...gotta find the onions.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > cazzyodo
06/06/2014 at 15:27

get every one you can man.

Write em down like you did here. it'll help.

And tell him he made a wide choice in Mercury

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Frank Grimes
06/06/2014 at 15:28

unless you plan to redesign all street corners, i can't imagine it being a "design problem". It's just kind of the way it is...

cazzyodo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/06/2014 at 15:32

I didn't even realize that I was commenting to you and how appropriate it was until after I hit "Publish". haha

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > cazzyodo
06/06/2014 at 15:45

Hahaha, must have more 1940 MERC STORIES NOW!

cazzyodo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/06/2014 at 15:47

I should try and get specifics...he owned a lot of cars over the years and was proud of them. Pity none survived to my time.

The man was born in 1928. That just doesn't even make sense to me any more.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > cazzyodo
06/06/2014 at 15:51

Yes this.

the pic of a hot rod you posted on the other page is no 1940 Merc though, what is it? It's awesome looking don't get me wrong.

Yeah that's about when my grandparents were born.

My grandmother has told me she grew up in a house with no telephone.

Makes you think about what we take for granted

cazzyodo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/06/2014 at 15:56

The pic was from a quick GIS of "1930s hot rod" because I wanted to imagine what kept beating and fascinating my grandfather.

It's funny you say that because I was thinking along a similar line the other day.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > cazzyodo
06/06/2014 at 15:59

It truly is unbelievable the technological BOOM since then.

cazzyodo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/06/2014 at 16:02

Since we were in school.

I got my first cell phone as a Junior in high school cuz my sister was getting one for a birthday present (as a freshman). Buy one get one free got me my first phone. Now, ten year olds have iphones.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > cazzyodo
06/06/2014 at 16:28

yeah I was only given a cell phone when I got my license.

And I had strict minutes/text messages too! Hahaha

cazzyodo > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/06/2014 at 16:29

I wasn't allowed to text at all. I couldn't text until college when I convinced my family that it was the primary means of communication there hahaha

Frank Grimes > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
06/06/2014 at 17:51

It isnt the street corners. Why not have trailers that can steer? If there are so many people being hit because they are dumb and there is a sign on a truck why not fix the truck that can't make safe right turns without taking up 3 lanes?

Frank Grimes > BigBlock440
06/06/2014 at 17:53

Yeah make other people responsible for your lazy ass who cant buy proper flaps or dont care enough to make sure your load isnt safe and just assume it is and slap a sticker on the truck for flying 75mph down the highway.

BigBlock440 > Frank Grimes
06/07/2014 at 00:25

Hey, you like dealing with broken windows, that's your deal. I'll just stay a few feet back and not have to worry about it.

BigBlock440 > Frank Grimes
06/07/2014 at 00:34

Because it'd be expensive and add weight. More weight means less cargo. Less cargo, means more expensive shipping and more fuel burned. Even if the back tires can steer, the trailer would still cut corners short. You've got a 53 foot straight line, unless it can bend (which is a whole other source of expense and weight) you're still making a wide turn. It'd be easier for people to realize they're not the only ones on the road and not every vehicle can drive like a Miata.

Frank Grimes > BigBlock440
06/07/2014 at 11:02

A constant 200 feet if the stickers are to be believed.

Shiftright > SaabLife, because Gripen
06/07/2014 at 23:31

They many not be be 'resonsible' but they are definitely 'responsible'