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U.S. Senator Schumer pushes for tighter standards for GPS usage by commercial trucks

GasBuddy Blog -- U.S. Senator Charles Schumer says too many trucks are crashing into bridge overpasses, especially in Western New York.

Schumer appeared in Buffalo last week and brought the media to the CSX Railroad overpass at William and Metcalfe. That bridge, he said, has been struck by trucks 32 times in the past few years. The bridge, built in 1926, has just a 12-foot clearance.

Schumer is calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct an investigation. He wants national standards to be issued in the use of GPS units in commercial trucks... and we sincerely hope the U.S. DOT is paying attention.

WBFO's Eileen Buckley reported that many professional trucking companies equip their vehicles with commercial...

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Submitted Nov 06, 2012 By: PD

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blackberry522 Veteran Author Pennsylvania Posts:344 Points:86,075 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 14, 2012 6:52:05 AM Ignore blackberry522 Report Abuse Jumpmaster, Edwood, CivicMa: You have to READ the Article slowly and carefully before you can make an educated comment or your comment doesn't make any sense. The POINT here is that there are TWO types of GPS. One is Commercial (this means for "business" or "BIG truck" use and one is non-commercial or personal which means its for the "little cars"). The Commerical GPS WILL direct the BIG trucks away from low clearance underpasses, immpossible intersections, dangerous roadways etc. It will direct trucks on safe passageways which may take longer but won't cause crashes. A non-commercial GPS is designed to take a small car on the most direct route, which will fit under any overpass, through any intersection safely. NON-COMMERCIAL GPS ARE CHEAPER THAN COMMERCIAL GPS. Schumer's argument is that Private companies are buying NON-COMMERCIAL GPS for their BIG TRUCKS which are steering their drivers into dangerous territory in order to save a few bucks on the more expensive commerical GPS. Schumer is right. Those companies are idiots. Sure those drivers should know the dimension of their vehicle, but COME ON... they are driving some HUGE vehicles in some tight quarters, in areas they've NEVER been before, directed by a GPS purchased BY their company, and a few inches overhead and a hope and prayer and an... oops.. I can't blame them. Their lives are tough enough.
EdWoods Veteran Author Maryland Posts:494 Points:74,675 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 13, 2012 6:28:25 PM Ignore EdWoods Report Abuse The only was to deal with this is to require GPS Manufacturers and System Operators to put accurate information into the Systems. Requiring a Truck to have a GPS doesn't do any good if the info in the device is incorrect....
danny1460 Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:85 Points:303,300 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 5:27:44 PM Ignore danny1460 Report Abuse If they pave the road under the bridge without milling down the old asphalt that also allows for less room!
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,834 Points:1,638,195 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2012 5:30:15 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse too much reliance on technology shows just how stupid many people have gotten.
TOOMUCH Sophomore Author Toronto Posts:192 Points:21,170 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 5:43:13 AM Ignore TOOMUCH Report Abuse About time.
Tigrelily All-Star Author Illinois Posts:631 Points:219,910 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 12:01:25 PM Ignore Tigrelily Report Abuse Good idea.
nightworker998 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,912 Points:689,890 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 12:00:56 PM Ignore nightworker998 Report Abuse Interesting
CivicMA Champion Author Boston Posts:2,040 Points:563,470 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:59:49 AM Ignore CivicMA Report Abuse Are there special GPS' for truckers that identify bridge heights? Maybe there should be . . . if it is practical to program that info into the software?
nztyraider Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,322 Points:716,955 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:56:42 AM Ignore nztyraider Report Abuse Schumer is a separatist.
Jumpmaster82 All-Star Author South Carolina Posts:923 Points:864,190 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:50:14 AM Ignore Jumpmaster82 Report Abuse Saw this story before. Interesting point not made in this edition, the number of bridge strikes was higher in the years before the GPS was regularly in use. So what is Schumer's point? Ignorance of the facts seems to follow him.
vrossi46 Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,802 Points:830,670 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:47:59 AM Ignore vrossi46 Report Abuse bureaucrats are always looking for more to justify their existence
satrn38mpg Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,207 Points:1,080,640 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:47:20 AM Ignore satrn38mpg Report Abuse another old story >
singlemom27 Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,253 Points:667,885 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:43:02 AM Ignore singlemom27 Report Abuse Safety is important, but perhaps there is another way to do it.
drish All-Star Author Birmingham Posts:578 Points:981,715 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:37:23 AM Ignore drish Report Abuse Yeah, let's legislate that all these truckers who are struggling to make a living as it spend more money, instead of properly posting the bridge. What a dope.
sprocketsplines Champion Author Washington Posts:1,818 Points:889,035 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:36:54 AM Ignore sprocketsplines Report Abuse There is a tendency to leave your brain in park when you are driving using a GPS.
cbucka Veteran Author Los Angeles Posts:458 Points:434,425 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:34:57 AM Ignore cbucka Report Abuse too much.
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:6,057 Points:1,873,305 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:34:53 AM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse drivers are suppose to know the highest spot of their load
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:34:33 AM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse cad., they do, but they don't know how low the bridge is.....
mikaye Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,964 Points:891,160 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:34:27 AM Ignore mikaye Report Abuse truckers should pay attention to clearences if they can't read they shouldn't drive
zeeflyers All-Star Author Pittsburgh Posts:713 Points:230,655 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:33:44 AM Ignore zeeflyers Report Abuse Go away. We've sen this, educate, not regulate.
momster1 Veteran Author Wisconsin Posts:450 Points:313,780 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:32:39 AM Ignore momster1 Report Abuse When will it be so much that it becomes prohibitive?
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:16,754 Points:2,167,405 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:32:03 AM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse I still say that it is the responsibility of the truck driver to know how high his rig is. Truck drivers didn't always have GPS devices, and they didn't hit bridges as much either.
suzyq2007 Champion Author Dallas Posts:7,296 Points:1,675,700 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:24:59 AM Ignore suzyq2007 Report Abuse and what does he plan to do about this
TXBigDog Champion Author Houston Posts:1,004 Points:378,075 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:24:05 AM Ignore TXBigDog Report Abuse No more government BS
srchr Champion Author San Jose Posts:7,396 Points:1,647,750 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:22:32 AM Ignore srchr Report Abuse just fine the companies
Math6149 All-Star Author Jacksonville Posts:878 Points:1,820,475 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:19:28 AM Ignore Math6149 Report Abuse Let them put cameras in the truck also.
PontiacFan All-Star Author Gary Posts:776 Points:434,875 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:18:50 AM Ignore PontiacFan Report Abuse Big brother every where!
DatThao All-Star Author Wilmington Posts:831 Points:164,925 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:17:34 AM Ignore DatThao Report Abuse Yesterday's article...be alert!
MG_Sputnik Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:7,439 Points:1,988,570 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:16:04 AM Ignore MG_Sputnik Report Abuse More government intervention. After yesterday, get used to it people!
GryphonX Champion Author Nevada Posts:6,180 Points:1,611,450 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:14:13 AM Ignore GryphonX Report Abuse Yeah - that's what we need ... more regulation from Chuck-You Schumer ...
TheDix Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,109 Points:607,360 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:10:26 AM Ignore TheDix Report Abuse Is the height of the bridge not posted on the cotton pickin bridge?
ace12012 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,805 Points:350,060 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:08:19 AM Ignore ace12012 Report Abuse read it before.
Mikeyl Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,302 Points:1,211,595 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:06:55 AM Ignore Mikeyl Report Abuse Same story. Different day.
pulpwood Champion Author Mississippi Posts:7,379 Points:1,860,855 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:06:52 AM Ignore pulpwood Report Abuse very old
katmandue Champion Author Detroit Posts:8,211 Points:2,161,820 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:06:02 AM Ignore katmandue Report Abuse Good
bowler300MO Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,000 Points:894,335 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:05:10 AM Ignore bowler300MO Report Abuse old news
LuckyD43 Champion Author Long Island Posts:32,465 Points:2,195,770 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:04:50 AM Ignore LuckyD43 Report Abuse Yesterday's news.
GasSpy007 Champion Author New York City Posts:1,963 Points:516,025 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:04:06 AM Ignore GasSpy007 Report Abuse already commented the other 4 times you posted this article..
bearzz Champion Author California Posts:1,573 Points:446,620 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:02:18 AM Ignore bearzz Report Abuse Ding dong . . repeat.
ekcbp Sophomore Author California Posts:145 Points:56,520 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:01:39 AM Ignore ekcbp Report Abuse ok
19sheldon43 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,979 Points:843,010 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:00:58 AM Ignore 19sheldon43 Report Abuse Not being a commercial truck driver, I question the importance of repeating this post
SWAPCAR1 Veteran Author New Jersey Posts:444 Points:1,755,405 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 11:00:46 AM Ignore SWAPCAR1 Report Abuse Senator Schumer is correct. Proper commercial GPS units are more reliable to alert a driver of a big rig when these situations occur. Good job Senator
TopGunn Champion Author Baltimore Posts:9,326 Points:2,643,980 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:58:20 AM Ignore TopGunn Report Abuse Old article,
SWAPCAR1 Veteran Author New Jersey Posts:444 Points:1,755,405 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:57:31 AM Ignore SWAPCAR1 Report Abuse Senator Schumer is 100% correct. Commercial drivers should ONLY use commercial GPS devices. Professional drivers would be remiss if they said they only adhere to common sense when it comes to hours on the road each day. They are not as alert as they could be. Too much reliance on these devices can be and are in many cases deadly.
Ticobird Champion Author Huntsville Posts:3,329 Points:1,137,380 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:57:25 AM Ignore Ticobird Report Abuse Sure this is a problem but our national government should not be trying to solve it by mandating a technological fix (that would not prevent all of these types of accidents) rather than putting the blame where it belongs which is on the driver and the drivers insurance company.
aalix Champion Author Orange County Posts:23,320 Points:4,149,075 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:56:43 AM Ignore aalix Report Abuse Amazing stupidity.
peanutsMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,828 Points:413,590 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:54:32 AM Ignore peanutsMN Report Abuse Old news
CorvairHaven Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,470 Points:1,480,665 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:50:15 AM Ignore CorvairHaven Report Abuse Old.
BobbyVA Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:5,632 Points:1,201,805 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:49:28 AM Ignore BobbyVA Report Abuse Dito littlebigboy said from S.D., Schumer is certainly an idiot. This guy needs to be done away with by term limits, he reminds me of Robert Byrd of WV, way to much time in Congress.
biggyhy Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:1,611 Points:501,730 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2012 10:49:20 AM Ignore biggyhy Report Abuse great