Rollover

The most confounding problem with rule enforcement is at a flat terminal where inspectors can write us up for non-use of the wheel block. Usually, when we need a break after an intense trip, we don’t bother with the extra time to place a wheel block because we are short on time to go to the bathroom, but invariably, this leads to a reminder to use our wheel block. 

Being tuned in to the latest roll-away is important, so we know inspectors have been asked to write us up for this violation: Muni will stay out of the news. It’s when someone else forgot to secure their coach, and an accident resulted, we must be alert to use our own block, so our ‘fan’ will remain clean! We all know what rolls downhill, and in this case, it’s the bus!

A well curbed wheel was always a way to prevent a write up, but now we are to use the wheel block anyway. New wheel guards on the curb side prevent us from using the block, so we must place it on the traffic lane side of the bus. I have since learned to leave a sliver of the yellow showing beyond the wheel tread, so I can see it from my exterior driver side mirror. If I am distracted by a question from a tourist at the Ferry Plaza, I am in for a shock as I rollover my wheel block when I take off. 

Not placing the wheel block correctly can have dire consequences as the new wheel blocks are so strong and rigid that they don’t crack like the old wooden ones. Instead, they shoot out sideways like an arrow from a bow, if not placed squarely on the wheel. Thank God I learned this lesson when no one was passing. My block shot across the street by at least thirty feet!