LTL Driver Question: Mixed load with DG, but the local drop is "clean." Can I take this route in Petrolia, Ontario?

Posted by Extra-Return-6382@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 36 comments

Hey everyone, looking for a bit of a "sanity check" from my fellow drivers.
I'm an LTL driver usually running a mixed load. If I’ve got some Dangerous Goods (DG) on the trailer that I picked up earlier, and its placarded. And Then, I have a delivery at a business right on this route in Petrolia, and the freight for that specific stop is not dangerous.

Looking at the signs at the town entrance
The "No Trucks" sign has an "Except for Local Deliveries" tab. I’m good there since I have a drop-off on this road.

The "Dangerous Loads Prohibited" yellow sign does not have an exception tab.

Since my Petrolia-bound cargo isn't the DG stuff, am I allowed through? Or does the fact that I’m placarded for my other freight mean I’m strictly prohibited from this route regardless of where the DG is going?

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LockportTrans@reddit

Only if its the last drop

Traditional_Ad_1360@reddit

The sign means no through trucks.

Pitiful-MobileGamer@reddit

There's a Shell in the middle of town, so they receive fuel on the regular, that's TDG.

WontSwerve@reddit

You understand the difference between making a delivery on that road vs just traveling right?

It's important you understand.

I did LTL all over Ontario, if you are placarded then you have the ability to ignore restriction signs if you have a legitimate reason. A delivery mid route is a completely valid exemption to a TDG restriction.

The gas hauler may not be dumping a whole trailer, may only dump two Chambers and take two other to another.

So yes I'm very familiar with making a delivery, this route driver would have a BOL inside the excluding area giving him local delivery privilege.

Seebs9@reddit

Usually those signs are specific to through trucks. Since your next stop is at that specific area, you should be fine even with the hazmat restriction. My city has a hazmat ban all around it but we can run through it as long as we have stops within the area.

It’s probably better to find a way to do this delivery first though before you pick the other up, just in case you end up dealing with an overzealous cop.

Yep. Petrolia and Sarnia are both very anal about through trucks.

Other cities...... ehhhhh, I know where I can fit.

Bro, the cops in Sarnia and Petrolia are some of the few in Ontario that do not fuck around with No Truck routes.

I do LTL out of London. Tell me where you're headed and I'll tell you how to get there.

waadidas1@reddit

"take your placards off" wtf OK... Thats expensive

I didn't say it was good advice!

SnooChipmunks6620@reddit

Yeah.. what about the mounting hardware? 😂

Outside_Squirrel_839@reddit

Since you are placarded. I would not use that road sine the sign specifically says no dangerous loads. Don’t take a chance with your cdl I am a 35 year city driver tell dispatch you will have to return to yard and unload hazmat, or suggest another driver meets you at a customer close by that will allow you to use their dock to transfer either The dollar general freight to that guy or the hazmat whichever is easier if you had no hazmat then by all means I would use that route because you have a bill of lading that shows you have a local delivery and are not just taking a short cut

HighwayStar71@reddit

I believe DG in this case means Dangerous Goods not Dollar General.

IBringTheHeat2@reddit

How do dangerous loads get delivered to this town?

Alaskan_Tiger@reddit

Air drop

Responsible_CDN_Duck@reddit

On the approved dangerous goods route.

Ornery_Ads@reddit

By a truck delivering them.
What this sign (seems to) prohibits is transporting dangerous loads not destined to or originating from this town.

The question is, would these signs be interpreted as:
1) Trucks, with or without dangerous cargo, prohibited except trucks with local deliveries.
2) Trucks prohibited, except for local deliveries. Dangerous loads prohibited, except for local deliveries.
3) Trucks prohibited, except for local deliveries. Dangerous loads prohibited without a waiver or permit.

Snappypants9@reddit

Petrolia learned their lesson - no dangerous good allowed - ever

fastnsx21@reddit

As LTL driver myself, I ignore all signs

thecatthatwentmoo@reddit

What if theres a low bridge sign

Send it

😂

Independent_Leg7358@reddit

That just means ur trailer might get a buzz cut. The next one won't be a problem.

25_Unknown_Devices@reddit

If you see me sticking my head out the window and looking up, don’t ask questions.

Delicious_Peace_2526@reddit

Same. I’ve gotten into worse situations by turning because I saw a sign like this.

Better go around you don't want to jeopardize your CDL or your job they will throw the book at you

You could call the police too and ask that would be the safest route

Apart-Ad1652@reddit

No.

jjsprat38@reddit

I have had, and won this argument several times. There is only one regulatory sign on that post. The Dangerous Loads Prohibited is NOT enforceable. The officer that attempted to ticket me was told that my load was secured and contained as required and appropriate placards displayed, therefore my load was not dangerous. These are the enforceable signs in Ontario. Learn the conspicuity standards as well, if a regulatory sign is not plainly visible at 60m it is not enforceable, O. Reg. 175/08, s. 15. That means if you cannot see plainly see a no trucks sign until you have entered an intersection to turn onto the street and are facing it squarely (squarely is key) you can still be ticketed, however usually withdrawn.

https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-ministry-transportation-mto-truck-handbook/signs#section-1

If in doubt you can always call the non emergency line for the police or Google the city's road division and call them.

Personally assuming this was in the US, cities (outside of state and county roads) can restrict trucks & cargo. However they cannot restrict you from local delivery. Shouldn't be an issue to deliver as long as you are taking the minimal city routing and minimal residential routing to get there.

cohonan@reddit

What is “DG”?

Even if the DG were on the BOL for an address in the area that wouldn't be an acceptable route.

Without the DG when you are making a local delivery to a specific address within Petrolia you must take the most direct, accessible route from the main highway to your destination, following all established truck routes and returning to the highway by the same route.

Fellow Canadian driver here.

Sorry, no, you can't carry DG off DG routes, doesn't matter if the cargo itself isn't for that stop you mentioned. I do similar work and have TDG. You're fucked, if you get caught.

Any reason why you weren't able to make that DG pick up after?