Ticket In A Truck Stop Parking Lot?

So, 2nd solo week. Wnr to Macon Ga. Delivered and went and got my back haul. Going to deliver in Salem Va. The drive all night was great. Drove straight thru. Early morning, I wanted some breakfast. Haul was going without a hitch, I'm behind the wheel of my Freightliner, gonna be early for my appointment, on top of the world. In Mt. Airy NC I spotted a truck stop. I wheeled off 77 and down the ramp. Pulled into the truck stop parking lot along the front of a row of trucks backed into their spaces. All in a row. As I moved slowly forward, singing praise songs with the radio, looking for a space to take my required 39 minute break, a truck pulled out right in front of me. I stopped short. I said things under my breath and let him pass. I started to pull forward and after about 5 ft.my truck came to a dragging stop. I thought what the heck? Something wrong with my breaks? I stopped, looked in my drivers mirrdor, and a nightmare. My trailer had completely demolished the passenger side of a Volvo. I panicked of course. I got out and so did that driver. I couldn't apologize enough. It was demolished. No damage to mine but his was whew.....bad. I took pictures and so did he. The highway patrol showed up. I called my accident people, dispatcher. My pictures show his vehicle at leadt half a tractors length in front of the stop line in the parking lanes. I suspect that this guy was beginning to move forward and when I stopped short so did he. With the distraction of the truck pulling out in front of me I neglected to check my mirror again before proceeding. Truly a bad mistake. So, the Highway Patrol came, saw, thought the same thin I did but with no witness or proof, issued me a ticked. He told me the only reason he issued the ticket is because his higher up makes him issue one. And that if I show up to court on the court date,or prior to the DA office with the ticket and documentation that my company had settled the matter with the other guys company, he would dismiss the ticket and it won't go on my CSA. I completed my delivery and headed back to the yard. Next morning, I was fired. Ok. God's plan. I don't like it so much but it is what it is. My question is, can that Patrolman issue a ticket on private property? I will stand up, be a man, take my licks, and move on. Somehow. But if this ticket is invalid, then I'd like to know so I can proceed in saving a much worked for career. Any suggesrions, ideas, advice?

I'm a newbie but I can answer that question with certainty. No they can't. I'll tell you how I know. On Monday of this week I was in a truck stop parking lot and turned my rig like a car and took out the front of another truck. I was 100% at fault and I admitted it to the sheriff. I asked about a ticket (the one I thought I was gonna get) and he said he can't issue one because it was on private property. He said if it was deemed malicious intent or road rage then he could but, he could tell by veiwing it, it was a simple accident. He also said if I was under the influence then he could as well. He said he could tell by looking at me, and speaking with me, that I was not under the influence. I hope this info helps you, take care.

That cop basically told you they'll throw out the ticket if you'll fight it. The companies are going to work that out between them, that's just everyday stuff for trucking companies. No big deal.

Personally, I would call the district attorney well before the court date and find out what they're going to do. If he talks to the cop and they're going to throw the ticket out, then excellent. If they're going to stick with it, I would get an attorney and fight it. If you took pictures and he clearly was out over the line it would be impossible to prove that he didn't pull out into you while you were moving. That could have easily been the case with his nose sticking out. I'm pretty sure you can get it thrown out or reduced to a non-moving violation of some sort, no points on your license, and no CSA points.

It's one thing to have a fender bender, but quite another to be ticketed for it, at least to your next employer. Plus the obvious ramifications to your license and CSA score. If you can fight it, fight it. I'm sure I would.

Thanks William and Brett. Man I gotta say, I have talked to a bunch if truckers about this incident. They have all assured me that I'm not alone. I have felt like a complete idiot for this misrake, and still kind of do. But it's reassuring to know that these are things that happen on a regular basis and that I'm not alone here. William, I hope yours didn't turn out like mine. I was fired. Seems a bit funny that this company would take me fresh out of cdl school, train me for two weeks, and then fire me for this mistake but I guess that's the industry. I still love it and will return to it as soon as I can get hired. I'm ready to start tomorrow. Thanks for the advice and support. I think my new cb handle will be Demolition Man. Ha.

Thanks William and Brett. Man I gotta say, I have talked to a bunch if truckers about this incident. They have all assured me that I'm not alone. I have felt like a complete idiot for this misrake, and still kind of do. But it's reassuring to know that these are things that happen on a regular basis and that I'm not alone here. William, I hope yours didn't turn out like mine. I was fired. Seems a bit funny that this company would take me fresh out of cdl school, train me for two weeks, and then fire me for this mistake but I guess that's the industry. I still love it and will return to it as soon as I can get hired. I'm ready to start tomorrow. Thanks for the advice and support. I think my new cb handle will be Demolition Man. Ha.

Might be different for different states. I know in Florida a copy told me 'no', they couldn't give you a ticket for say, running a stop sign, but they could assign blame in case of an accident, i.e. 'Failure to yield'.

It's the same thing like asking a copy about gun laws in your state - or any state. Ask a different cops and get five different answers.

You have nothing to lose by fighting it.

Thanks William and Brett. Man I gotta say, I have talked to a bunch if truckers about this incident. They have all assured me that I'm not alone. I have felt like a complete idiot for this misrake, and still kind of do. But it's reassuring to know that these are things that happen on a regular basis and that I'm not alone here. William, I hope yours didn't turn out like mine. I was fired. Seems a bit funny that this company would take me fresh out of cdl school, train me for two weeks, and then fire me for this mistake but I guess that's the industry. I still love it and will return to it as soon as I can get hired. I'm ready to start tomorrow. Thanks for the advice and support. I think my new cb handle will be Demolition Man. Ha.

Might be different for different states. I know in Florida a copy told me 'no', they couldn't give you a ticket for say, running a stop sign, but they could assign blame in case of an accident, i.e. 'Failure to yield'.

It's the same thing like asking a copy about gun laws in your state - or any state. Ask a different cops and get five different answers.

You have nothing to lose by fighting it.

argh. COP not COPY. I have no idea where that came from!