The year 2024 might go down as a relentlessly harsh one limped across by trucking companies hoping to survive the one-two punch of weak rates and heavy costs, but as it comes into focus in the rearview mirrors, there's certainly one thing to be thankful for: There's a high likelihood you didn't make this list of the worst inspection fails.
Like many truckers themselves, some state and local roadside enforcement agencies aren't shy about blasting on social media the most shocking, dangerous and sometimes frankly baffling things they see in the course of their work. (That's been especially true this year for Iowa and California state patrols, as you'll soon see.) As the ball readies to drop on 2024, it's time to rank the worst of the worst. We'll look at tire violations, trailers, driver infractions, and the worst overall rig we saw in 2024.
First up, worst tires second runner-up:
There's no tire like no tire, and that's exactly what California Highway Patrol saw on December 18.
"This vehicle initially entered our facility around 5 a.m. rolling on its rim," CHP wrote on Facebook. "The driver was unaware of the issue. Fortunately, the problem was fixed without inflicting any additional irreparable damage. If you feel anything abnormal, pull over ASAP (when safe) and address it."
First runner-up: Trucking takes all types. Drivers with different attitudes, perceptions and stances make this a rich industry. When it comes to tires though, it's really best if they all point the same way.
"The things you see come into our scale facilities," wrote Iowa State Patrol on Facebook. "The driver said he had no idea about the issue. Imagine that flying off at 65 mph..."
Worst tires champion: What's worse than one missing tire? Two.
"Not exactly the way we would like to see a truck driving down snow packed roads!" wrote Iowa State Patrol. "Although it hadn't fallen apart yet, another tire was also flat in front of the two destroyed ones. In addition, the trailer had no working lights."
Moving on to those trailer troubles...
Worst trailer runner-up:
"While following this truck and trailer a couple days ago, it did not take long for our CMVU Trooper to realize the truck wasn't sitting quite right," wrote Iowa State Patrol. "Upon inspection, it was discovered the frame had completely broke on one side. Thankfully it was stopped before more damage or a crash occurred!"
Worst trailer champion: This one looks to have been involved in a low-bridge strike, but even that apparently wasn't enough for the carrier to take it off the road. The tires on the tractor look to be in good condition, anyway. How about a big swap meet for all the worst equipment on the road so some of our "worst tires" winners can get some new rubber?
"The things we see going down the road are sometimes alarming," wrote Iowa State Patrol. "Luckily, this trailer was stopped before it collapsed in the road!"
Worst driver violation runner-up: California Highway Patrol tried to block out identifying information on this trailer; even still, anyone might well see why this is a prime example of what's wrong on the road today.
"Just a reminder that California has a 55 mph maximum speed limit for vehicles with 3 axles or more, and all vehicles towing," wrote CHP. "This example is quite excessive. Please slow down. This includes those of you towing your watercraft out to the river as well."
Worst driver violation champion: We all make mistakes. Equipment breaks down. These things are understandable. Getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content that might straight-up kill some human beings is probably worse than a mistake and the worst violation we're aware of for all of 2024.
"Trooper Reisner stopped this Class 'A' CDL combination yesterday around 11:00 a.m. in northeast Iowa," wrote Iowa State Patrol. "The driver was found to be consuming hard liquor and had a blood alcohol content almost FIVE TIMES the legal limit for a CDL-required vehicle. Once at the jail, the driver tested even higher. We are all thankful this driver was removed from the road and jailed before a serious crash occurred!"
Finally...
Worst haul of 2024
This one has a little bit of everything, from oversize freight involved to a mangled old beauty of a Ford truck. There's almost a childlike wonder to putting something like this on the road with zero paperwork in any regard. The driver seemed to know the rig needed to indicate that it's hauling oversize, but didn't bother with particulars.
I guess when your shifter is levitating six inches above the cab floor, you might have other things on your mind.
"One of our Troopers got called to assist their local sheriff's office with this traffic hazard called in by the public," wrote Iowa State Patrol. "Beyond the obvious, the truck hadn’t been registered in 16 years, no oversize permit, no insurance, no authority, and multiple other issues were discovered."
We may envy this driver's spirit, but certainly not the fines he had to pay.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
