Why do utility vehicles always have a cone placed in front when parked, even in a parking lot when off duty?

Question

Noticed a small PG&E pickup truck at lunch today - he parked in the parking lot in a normal space, got a cone out of the back and placed it in front of the truck, then went inside to grab a sandwich. Why bother with the cone? Theft deterrent? Does it prevent tickets or towing (and if so, would this work for me)? Also, by leaving the cone on the ground has the driver ceded ownership? Am I free to take the cone?

Answer 1

It's usually Company rules that require it.

Answer 2

Insurance reasons, due to ridiculous lawsuits. Someone once ran into the front of a parked Public Service truck and some slick lawyer convinced a judge the PS people were negligent for not alerting people to the presense of their parked, unattended vehicle. So now company regulations state when a PS vehicle is parked, for whatever reason, (this means stopped with the engine turned off) a warning cone must be placed in front of said vehicle.

Eventually someone will figure a way to run into these trucks even with a cone in place, then Public Service will have to install neon or strobe lights on their parked trucks.

Answer 3

If it isn't company regulations specifically, it's probably some federal statute. The intent of the "law" is (was) no doubt to draw attention to the fact that the vehicle is stopped when workers have it parked on the roadway while they work, i.e. to help cars avoid running into it and to not pull up behind it and expect it to start pulling away sometime soon. The cones also set out a space between traffic and the vehicle where the workers can operate in safety. However, the law is probably worded in a general or ambiguous manner which leads to vehicles being "coned" even in those circumstances when they clearly don't need to be.

Answer 4

I worked for a City for two and a half years and our people were required to place a cone behind there vehicles when they parked so that when they pick it up they are more likely to noticed what was around them and not hit it when they back out. If they parked in a place where they would pull forward to leave then the cone would be placed in front.

No you cannot legally take the cone.

Answer 5

It's a safety thing. The cone is placed (when possible) on the traffic side, near the furthest point of intrusion into traffic (like near the ladder/bucket on a cable truck) so that people think to look for someone entering the vehicle as well as possible extruding objects (like ladders.)

And no, you have not "ceded ownership" of a cone by placing it where it will help protect the vehicle/traffic flow...

It has nothing to do with tickets, towing or theft. Oh, and the size of the vehicle has nothing to do with it either, all utility companies are supposed to do it to all vehicles parked in a public area.

Answer 6

Placing a cone in front means that the utility vehicle is getting loaded. I am sure when you saw it was empty and probably the driver tricked everybody and went on to grab a sandwich!

Answer 7

OSHA Regulations require this practice with utility vehicles. Taking the cone would be theft.

Answer 8

Company rules for safety. You might miss seeing the vehicle but you saw that cone didn't you? And you best leave the cone alone. It isn't yours. m

Answer 9

It forces the drivers to look around their vehicle before departing a worksite - and has been shown to reduce those "parking lot" fender benders.

While it is company policy it reduces or eliminates the cost of settling accident claims due to driver "negligence".

Answer 10

federal law its for safety purposes no the cone is not up for grabs that's stealing if you take it