Wake Stone Corporation has a quarry on Deep River Road at US 1.
Since I've lived here, about 11 years, I've had two windshields cracked by rocks from the dump trucks leaving the quarry. Today was number three.
The truck pulled out of the quarry behind me but then passed me going north on US 1. I was doing the speed limit, 65 mph; the truck was going a good bit faster. Maybe in the 75 mph range.
The truck started losing rocks as he went over the Haw River bridge. I suspect the rocks were dislodged from the bouncing caused by the joints in the concrete bridge deck. That and the high speed. Even though I was pretty far behind the truck, I'd estimate 400 or 500 feet, my car started getting pelted and I slowed down.
Anyway, I saw the big rock coming. I saw it bounce on the road and then pow - right smack in the middle of the windshield.
Modern safety glass is pretty amazing. It was a good sized rock but it didn't come through the windshield. Scared the silly putty out of me though.
In North Carolina, dump trucks do not have to have license tags on the back of the truck. I remember when the law was changed years ago to exempt dump trucks. The reason / argument was that dump trucks have difficulty keeping license tags on the back due to rough construction sites and the action of the dumping beds. That's complete bullshit. The real reason is so that people like me won't be able to get the tag numbers of the trucks when rocks smash our windshields.
Interesting, they can't keep license tags on the back but there's no problem keeping their rear lights and brake lights attached. Hmmmmmm . . . .
I called the Highway Patrol on my cell but they didn't have any cars in position to come and pull the guy over. The HP officer also checked with the Chatham County Sheriff and the Wake County Sheriff as well - no patrol cars nearby. By this time he was pretty far down the road anyway - due to his speeding.
I did see the truck take the New Hill exit but I kept on heading north to go to work. Besides, the driver would likely deny responsibility anyway.
So, I'm out the $100 deductible (again!) for my comprehensive insurance.
The dump truck was a white International and the name on the side was Mac Trucking.
That's working out to a smashed windshield about every 3 to 4 years.
I'm getting tired of it.
1 comment:
Same experience driving from Raleigh to Cary--a stone bounced out of a truck and broke my windshield. (It was being driven the opposite way when it went over a road bump.) I chased it down, took pictures (Right--there is no tag on the truck's rear.) Unfortunately, I didn't know I had to shoot the ineffectual tarp on top for a claim. Yes, a deductible came out of my pocket, too.
m of reston
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