The FIRST orange sign means SLOW DOWN!

[bigtimba]

Please . . help me to understand this . .

http://www.purcellregister.com/artic...asp?idnum=4389

http://www.kbmt12.com/news/local/22862514.html

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/ne..._23_38_01.html

http://www.mcdowellnews.com/servlet/...=1173355819941

I know. It isn't likely the fools most inclined to offend aren't reading this. Well, matcat, maybe . . So, what's your distraction?

Is it the phone?

Is it the scenery?

Is it the hours or miles?

Is it the money?

Is it the color of the signs?

Is it because you slow down, then get passed by a bunch of trucks and figure they must know something you don't?

This happens ALL THE TIME and I don't get it.

[Phantom433a]

A buddy of mine was stopped for an accident south of Phoenix on I-10 when another truck came flying up from behind. There was 3 four wheelers between the 2. My buddy said he couldn't figure out why his trailer (flatbed) was on fire. Seems the pickup right behind him was pushed up and onto his load befor catching fire. And yes....it was very clear that traffic was stopped.

Big Timba....if you ever get an answer for why this crap happens.....let me know.

[matcat]

I know. It isn't likely the fools most inclined to offend aren't reading this. Well, matcat, maybe . . So, what's your distraction?

Hey now...

[classB]

Please . . help me to understand this . .

http://www.purcellregister.com/artic...asp?idnum=4389

It appears Lawson died because he did not wear his seat belt. He got thrown out of his own truck and then run over by his own truck.

I don't think speed is the biggest issue. I think following too closely is the problem. If he gave himself an extra 50 feet then he might not have hit the other trucks. Would he have survived if he was driving 45-50 instead of 55-60? Or would he have survived if he was following 80 feet back instead of 30?

Companies pay drivers per mile driven. It is a big incentive to want to drive an extra 10 miles an hour. The change adds up at the end of the year and means thousands of dollars. Will anyone say that is a contributing factor to the accident?

[matcat]

Please . . help me to understand this . .

http://www.purcellregister.com/artic...asp?idnum=4389

It appears Lawson died because he did not wear his seat belt. He got thrown out of his own truck and then run over by his own truck.

I don't think speed is the biggest issue. I think following too closely is the problem. If he gave himself an extra 50 feet then he might not have hit the other trucks. Would he have survived if he was driving 45-50 instead of 55-60? Or would he have survived if he was following 80 feet back instead of 30?

Companies pay drivers per mile driven. It is a big incentive to want to drive an extra 10 miles an hour. The change adds up at the end of the year and means thousands of dollars. Will anyone say that is a contributing factor to the accident?

At the end of the article it says all three drivers had been wearing their seat belts.

[classB]

Please . . help me to understand this . .

http://www.purcellregister.com/artic...asp?idnum=4389

It appears Lawson died because he did not wear his seat belt. He got thrown out of his own truck and then run over by his own truck.

I don't think speed is the biggest issue. I think following too closely is the problem. If he gave himself an extra 50 feet then he might not have hit the other trucks. Would he have survived if he was driving 45-50 instead of 55-60? Or would he have survived if he was following 80 feet back instead of 30?

Companies pay drivers per mile driven. It is a big incentive to want to drive an extra 10 miles an hour. The change adds up at the end of the year and means thousands of dollars. Will anyone say that is a contributing factor to the accident?

At the end of the article it says all three drivers had been wearing their seat belts.

Then how was Lawson ejected from his semi if he was wearing a seatbelt?

[WarHorse]

Then how was Lawson ejected from his semi if he was wearing a seatbelt?

Force of impact. Seat belts are not a cure-all. One of the other stories is about a child that was killed in a wreck while in a child seat.

Mistakes happen. Life is short. Shorter for some than others. Best thing to do is take stock and move on.

[matcat]

That seat belt isn't that strong, and I can think of quite a few possibilities for it to not hold, seat itself getting disconnected, it getting cut, it just plain breaking from force, and I am sure there are a million and one other ways for a seat belt to fail.

[Lunker]

I know why all these accidents were caused. It's plain and simple. 95% of all drivers I've seen lately could care less what the speed limit signs say in construction zones. There are many of them here on I-5 with new bridges being built up and down the state. I'm constantly passed by cars and trucks going thru construction zones and they only slow down when a officer is parked in view while monitoring speeders. Then there's the follow the leader effect of tailgating. It's not just cars either. I see trucks tailgating other trucks going 65 in a 55 and no idea what's in front of the truck in front of them. Will I become part of the problem or side on caution? I like to see what's in front of me, it seems to give me a comfortable feeling in case something happens.

[WarHorse]

Offering this as an aside about seat belts -

KBR drivers in Iraq are required to wear their PPE and seat belts before leaving base. Anyone who refuses is put on the next plane home, end of discussion.

Jody Deatherage, who I may claim as an acquaintance if not a friend, was driving in a convoy on the outskirts of Baghdad on January 21, 2004. His truck crossed the centerline resulting in a head-on with an Iraqi dump truck coming the other way. Keep in mind that these are cab-overs.

Jody had a passenger that day, a man going home on R&R. I met him the next day. He was completely unscathed, physically. Relating the tale, he told me that Jody was ejected from his seat while the seat belt remained intact. Jody's crushed and mutilated body was on the road, while this passenger opened his door and walked away.

Such is the fickle finger of physics. Seat belts have saved countless lives, and I wear mine obsessively. But they are not a cure for inattention, violent intent, or pure dumb luck.

[Syncrosonix]

I know why all these accidents were caused. It's plain and simple. 95% of all drivers I've seen lately could care less what the speed limit signs say in construction zones. There are many of them here on I-5 with new bridges being built up and down the state. I'm constantly passed by cars and trucks going thru construction zones and they only slow down when a officer is parked in view while monitoring speeders. Then there's the follow the leader effect of tailgating. It's not just cars either. I see trucks tailgating other trucks going 65 in a 55 and no idea what's in front of the truck in front of them. Will I become part of the problem or side on caution? I like to see what's in front of me, it seems to give me a comfortable feeling in case something happens.

likewise and i usually get yelled at by some stupid trucker who thinks it's nascar 24/7. if they want to end up dead like their redneck messiah, dale earnhadt sr. then, by all means, they can have themselves a blast. a blast that i will have no part in unless some moron slams into the rear of my trailer, or goes screeching off the shoulder, and into the ditch.

[belpre122]

if they want to end up dead like their redneck messiah, dale earnhadt sr.

That comment outta have the necks climbing out of their seats momentarily. :P

Hey Sonix! By golly, if I see the "Ride a Trucker" rig pulled of off the side of the freeway. I guarantee that I will be in the farthest lane away from that situation. I've been forewarned. That would be considered a major construction/destruction area. Bombs Away!!!! :P :P :twisted: :twisted:

[Syncrosonix]

if they want to end up dead like their redneck messiah, dale earnhadt sr.

That comment outta have the necks climbing out of their seats momentarily. :P

Hey Sonix! By golly, if I see the "Ride a Trucker" rig pulled of off the side of the freeway. I guarantee that I will be in the farthest lane away from that situation. I've been forewarned. That would be considered a major construction/destruction area. Bombs Away!!!! :P :P :twisted: :twisted:

[Orangetxguy]

Inattentive driving is the "cause" of at least three of those accidents------couldn't get the last one to open! Accidents like the one on I-10 here, are frequent and all to common. There are just as many accidents in the construction zone...which stretches from Vidor to the Texas stateline...that only involve 4-wheelers...as there are accidents that involve 18 wheelers. Speed is one of two contributing factors...with "Inattention" being the largest contributer. (just my opinion)

As an 'aside'..You have to like the manner in which the Oklahoma State Patrol took care of the grandson of the driver whom got himself killed up there!! Those guys show themselves to be a "Class" act !! Get him cleaned up...take him home..all in police cruisers!! Even Kansas State Patrol proved they can be "Class Act" !!

Thanks for bringing me "up to date" on local news there Bigtimba!!! I missed that accident on I-10...only because I was in St. Louis!!

[Roadhog]

...whats this about Dale??

[Snowman7]

Good topic Bigtimba. I agree with you about speed but as others have posted I think a bigger culprit would be not paying attention and following distance. It doesn't matter what speed you're going if you're not watching far down the road. Some people get tunnel vision and stare immediately in front of their truck.

I run I71 in Ohio every night. There's a construction zone from the 147 to the 157 and its marked trucks use left lane. This is because they move the highway over to the shoulder. Every single night big trucks are rolling along in the right lane. Not even speeding, just cruising along. In case they cant read, do they really need a sign to tell them they are riding on the shoulder at 60 mph? It's very uneven and twice in the last two weeks one lost control and wrecked. Of course the highway gets shut down for the cleanup. PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE! Your screw ups are slowing me down! :evil:

[Orangetxguy]

...whats this about Dale??

He died. Senselessly.

[bigtimba]

Here's a few more bbrs you won't be running into (thankfully) any time soon . .

http://www.whec.com/article/stories/....shtml?cat=566

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=211397

http://www.thedailytimes.com/article...NEWS/610381428

http://www.local12.com/news/local/st...c-4ef84e45fc56

All of these happened yesterday. I could have found plenty more because it's the same thing, day after day after day.

Three people who will probably never drive trucks again and one who definately won't . . RIP, Willie Lee . .

Ramps and curves are almost always double or triple posted . . FOR A REASON! Physics. One of the laws you can't seem to break no matter how hard you try.

[bigtimba]

I was westbound on I-44 in MO, when I heard about this one, yesterday . .

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/new...0?OpenDocument

[belpre122]

Horrific crash on Hwy. 40 kills 2, injures 13
"Frank Steinhoff, 27, said he was driving next to the semi, which he estimated was going about 75 mph. The truck didn't slow as it approached the stopped traffic, he said."


"Nothum said authorities "have a very good idea" of what took place before the crash and why it happened, but said it wouldn't be prudent to disclose the likely cause until the investigation was finished. He said authorities would meet today with prosecutors to discuss possible charges."

Interesting to take real look at what is actually happening out there as we speak. The OTR "status quo" apologists would have you believe that the sleepy, head-bobbing OTR driver is nothing more than a myth. I sure feel sorry for those unfortunate victims of this tragedy. Nod 'n wink type OTR safety departments are in large part to blame for this carnage.

I still remember when I was making my escape from coolie carrier hell. I interviewed with a local tanker company lead driver, not some HR or safety schmuck. I must have looked like a deer in headlights! Safety. Compliance. Safety. Compliance. Over and over. He kept on and on. I hoped that this wasn't yet another safety charade that goes out the door the second that the left door closes. Remember, nod 'n wink. You know what we really mean. :wink: Thank goodness that it was for real.

EOBRs will be a step in the right direction to stem these type massacres. CPM scam pay and the FLSA exemption are also huge co-conspirators in the unfortunate death and injuries to these poor souls.

The sleepy, head-bobbing, illegal, non-compliant OTR driver is nothing to snicker about. Seems to be for a lot of you. I just hope that technology, aggressive legislation, along with harsh punishment for the criminals responsible for these heinous crimes will help prevent more of these unfortunate tragedies.