Rear Ender in FOG
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#31
RebelDarlin , 02-27-2008 04:18 AM
09-08-2023Quote:
I agree 50mph in a dense fog is too fast, you should never drive farther than you can see. In other words never drive faster than you can see ahead. If the other driver was going 35mph with the hazards on it was because that driver was playing it safe.
I believe alot of newbie drivers get too comfortable in their first few years of driving and let their guard down. Always remember Safety.
You are lucky you didn't run over a car going that speed in the fog and kill a whole family.
I know in today's culture everyone has a MP3 player, laptop, and they want to text message people when they are driving but those things should be done stopped at a safe place, and not while the person is driving.
I have a laptop and MP3 player, but I use those when my truck is parked at a safe location where it will not be a distraction to me or anyone else.
I know the youngsters of today want to make the job fun, but it is a big responsibility that is given to you to drive a $150,000 Commercial Vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000lbs. You are doing a job, when you are driving that is your job, leave the fun and games for when you are off-duty or at home.
You are very lucky your employer is willing to give you a second chance, Drive safe and slow down. Don't let other drivers tell you on the CB to speed up or how to drive. Drive your own truck and drive according to the conditions out there. All it takes is one second to be too confident and the next second it could be the end for you and an innocent party.
Don't take anything in this forum personal, just take it as constructive critisism.
Good Luck.
Originally Posted by enobeenob
IMO, I leave the CB on when the conditions get bad, because another driver around you might have some pertinent information that could be the difference between life and death.I agree 50mph in a dense fog is too fast, you should never drive farther than you can see. In other words never drive faster than you can see ahead. If the other driver was going 35mph with the hazards on it was because that driver was playing it safe.
I believe alot of newbie drivers get too comfortable in their first few years of driving and let their guard down. Always remember Safety.
You are lucky you didn't run over a car going that speed in the fog and kill a whole family.
I know in today's culture everyone has a MP3 player, laptop, and they want to text message people when they are driving but those things should be done stopped at a safe place, and not while the person is driving.
I have a laptop and MP3 player, but I use those when my truck is parked at a safe location where it will not be a distraction to me or anyone else.
I know the youngsters of today want to make the job fun, but it is a big responsibility that is given to you to drive a $150,000 Commercial Vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000lbs. You are doing a job, when you are driving that is your job, leave the fun and games for when you are off-duty or at home.
You are very lucky your employer is willing to give you a second chance, Drive safe and slow down. Don't let other drivers tell you on the CB to speed up or how to drive. Drive your own truck and drive according to the conditions out there. All it takes is one second to be too confident and the next second it could be the end for you and an innocent party.
Don't take anything in this forum personal, just take it as constructive critisism.
Good Luck.
EXACTLY
You are the ONLY one behind that wheel. It's YOUR job, YOUR responsibility. OWN IT, and quit making excuses!
#32
[quote="RebelDarlin"]
Quote:
No real damage to the other trucks trailer, but destroyed my hood, radiator, and fan. I got a following too close ticket, and got towed back to company terminal, already did drug and alcohol test, passed, now just waiting on the company to decide if they will give me a loner from this term, or make me go back to my term to get a loner. But the real question is, what is the ramifications to my CDL with a rear ender, and the ticket???[/quote]
matcat,
Grow up and stop being so defensive. You had a preventable accident and you came here asking about the ramifications of it.
I think 50MPH in DENSE fog is too fast for conditions. You said you could see 3 fog markers, how far is that? Apparently not far enough to be able to stop at 50MPH. Were your flashers on? Did it occur to you that other drivers might not feel safe going 50MPH in dense fog? Beacause that's how a defensive driver thinks and that's how you prevent accidents like this. It isn't the other drivers fault for going too slow, or for having a white trailer. Bottom line YOU WERE AT FAULT. Be mature enough to admit that.
Regardless if you get to keep your job, you have a ticket on your record, there is an insurance claim because of you, and the company who owns the truck you hit and their driver may not be done with you yet. So cut the cocky, immature, know it all attitude and be grateful that you're getting another chance with your company.
As a side note, I was in IT as a Network Engineer for 22 years, and don't understand the need for a webcam in any vehicle I drive. It's just another sign of your immaturity.
Reb
First off, I NEVER said it WASNT MY FAULT, I never said that I wasn't going too fast, and as far as her trailer being white, I was just stating the facts, and those lights are about 20 feet apart, 60 feet of visibility of those lights. I know where my mistake was, and I know it was my fault, I was just stating the situation, and your damned right I am going to be defensive when people start pointing fingers at me for no purpose and calling me immature, I just asked the question in the context of the situation. And no it never accorded to me that someone else might be going 35mph because at the time I thought 50mph was a safe speed for the conditions, as I was going 65 before hitting the fog, and I thought that if I could see the fog lights 60 feet out, I could surely see tail lights at 60ft out (wrong, tail lights are no wheres near as bright), and obviously yes 60ft is still extremely close distance and not stopping range.Originally Posted by matcat
This morning I was driving on I64 wb just short of 81, and just as I reached the top of the montain (Going 50mph in DENSE fog), and all of a sudden infront of me, another truck, going 35mph! I was only loaded with about 10,000lbs, and I slammed on the breaks and tried to get over to the left lane (but as a result of breaking my trailer jacked towards the guardrail, preventing me from going left) and I hit the back of the other trailer No real damage to the other trucks trailer, but destroyed my hood, radiator, and fan. I got a following too close ticket, and got towed back to company terminal, already did drug and alcohol test, passed, now just waiting on the company to decide if they will give me a loner from this term, or make me go back to my term to get a loner. But the real question is, what is the ramifications to my CDL with a rear ender, and the ticket???[/quote]matcat,
Grow up and stop being so defensive. You had a preventable accident and you came here asking about the ramifications of it.
I think 50MPH in DENSE fog is too fast for conditions. You said you could see 3 fog markers, how far is that? Apparently not far enough to be able to stop at 50MPH. Were your flashers on? Did it occur to you that other drivers might not feel safe going 50MPH in dense fog? Beacause that's how a defensive driver thinks and that's how you prevent accidents like this. It isn't the other drivers fault for going too slow, or for having a white trailer. Bottom line YOU WERE AT FAULT. Be mature enough to admit that.
Regardless if you get to keep your job, you have a ticket on your record, there is an insurance claim because of you, and the company who owns the truck you hit and their driver may not be done with you yet. So cut the cocky, immature, know it all attitude and be grateful that you're getting another chance with your company.
As a side note, I was in IT as a Network Engineer for 22 years, and don't understand the need for a webcam in any vehicle I drive. It's just another sign of your immaturity.
Reb
#33
Well after my last post on this thread, I turned my computer OFFstowed it in its case and got a good nights sleep. Got up this morning, pretripped and drove my day. Where was my computer? Still stowed in its case where it belongs while Im driving. Anybody who need a GPS or GPS software for their computer, to "track" their trip, needs to find another job. Yes, I see some good points to GPS to help find shipper/receivers etc when in close to them, but they are still very distracting.
Im with Rebel Darling on this one big time.
Count your blessings you still have a job.
You seem to be admitting its your fault but, you still seem to think your speed was OK. NO WAY, and making excuses for the accident beyond your your speed. You had to have been taught following distance and sight distance, you say you had 60 feet visiblity, thats not even a truck length! In ideal conditions do you follow other vehicles at less than a truck lenght? Can you stop your truck from 65mph or even 50mph in less than a truck length?
Count your blessing you didnt rear end a 4wheeler or RV. Count your blessing you still have a job, at least for the time being, and count your blessing you still have a CDL.
I was going to suggest you get a lawyer and try to "downgrade" the citation the Officer gave you, but I think the Officer was already more than generous in the citation he did write you.
Learn your lesson and learn proper following distance.
BTW, my company recommends 12 seconds following distance at 65mph.
Im with Rebel Darling on this one big time.
Count your blessings you still have a job.
You seem to be admitting its your fault but, you still seem to think your speed was OK. NO WAY, and making excuses for the accident beyond your your speed. You had to have been taught following distance and sight distance, you say you had 60 feet visiblity, thats not even a truck length! In ideal conditions do you follow other vehicles at less than a truck lenght? Can you stop your truck from 65mph or even 50mph in less than a truck length?
Quote:
and obviously yes 60ft is still extremely close distance and not stopping range.
You learned that hard way, first hand experience. Something you should have learned in driving school.and obviously yes 60ft is still extremely close distance and not stopping range.
Count your blessing you didnt rear end a 4wheeler or RV. Count your blessing you still have a job, at least for the time being, and count your blessing you still have a CDL.
I was going to suggest you get a lawyer and try to "downgrade" the citation the Officer gave you, but I think the Officer was already more than generous in the citation he did write you.
Learn your lesson and learn proper following distance.
BTW, my company recommends 12 seconds following distance at 65mph.
#34
CrazyTulip , 02-27-2008 11:39 AM
Quote:
Im with Rebel Darling on this one big time.
Count your blessings you still have a job.
You seem to be admitting its your fault but, you still seem to think your speed was OK. NO WAY, and making excuses for the accident beyond your your speed. You had to have been taught following distance and sight distance, you say you had 60 feet visiblity, thats not even a truck length! In ideal conditions do you follow other vehicles at less than a truck lenght? Can you stop your truck from 65mph or even 50mph in less than a truck length?
Count your blessing you didnt rear end a 4wheeler or RV. Count your blessing you still have a job, at least for the time being, and count your blessing you still have a CDL.
I was going to suggest you get a lawyer and try to "downgrade" the citation the Officer gave you, but I think the Officer was already more than generous in the citation he did write you.
Learn your lesson and learn proper following distance.
BTW, my company recommends 12 seconds following distance at 65mph.
I agree with you and I can't believe he's so getting bend out of shape when people respond to HIS request whatever they say. Because if it would have happened to me I sure as heck wouldn't broadcast it on this forum! :roll:Originally Posted by Drew10
Well after my last post on this thread, I turned my computer OFFstowed it in its case and got a good nights sleep. Got up this morning, pretripped and drove my day. Where was my computer? Still stowed in its case where it belongs while Im driving. Anybody who need a GPS or GPS software for their computer, to "track" their trip, needs to find another job. Yes, I see some good points to GPS to help find shipper/receivers etc when in close to them, but they are still very distracting. Im with Rebel Darling on this one big time.
Count your blessings you still have a job.
You seem to be admitting its your fault but, you still seem to think your speed was OK. NO WAY, and making excuses for the accident beyond your your speed. You had to have been taught following distance and sight distance, you say you had 60 feet visiblity, thats not even a truck length! In ideal conditions do you follow other vehicles at less than a truck lenght? Can you stop your truck from 65mph or even 50mph in less than a truck length?
Quote:
and obviously yes 60ft is still extremely close distance and not stopping range.
You learned that hard way, first hand experience. Something you should have learned in driving school.and obviously yes 60ft is still extremely close distance and not stopping range.
Count your blessing you didnt rear end a 4wheeler or RV. Count your blessing you still have a job, at least for the time being, and count your blessing you still have a CDL.
I was going to suggest you get a lawyer and try to "downgrade" the citation the Officer gave you, but I think the Officer was already more than generous in the citation he did write you.
Learn your lesson and learn proper following distance.
BTW, my company recommends 12 seconds following distance at 65mph.
#35
One thing that was brought up is the underestimation of fog. If I encounter fog, whether in my POV or truck, if I can't see at least half a mile then I pull off the highway until I can. Too many people drive way too fast in heavy fog. How many times do we hear about a major 20+ car pileup in heavy fog? A lot!
#36
This entire situation just blows me away...
A driver rear ends another truck in dense fog, because he was going too fast...
and is concerned with his driving record?
If this were me, I'd be on my knees thanking the good lord that I didn't just kill a bunch of people...They say that at 20 MPH if you rear end someone there is enough force there to sever the person's spine...at the speed you were going, the wouldn't have even had a chance....
We all can get a little side-tracked out here, and it's easy to get complacent, thinking that nothing's gonna happen to me. Doesn't work like that...mistakes like this kill people...
Quit being cocky...this kind of attitude kind of demonstrates that you didn't learn a thing from this. My family drives on the same roads you and I do...and they may one day be the ones in front of your truck going 35 mph..... :evil:
A driver rear ends another truck in dense fog, because he was going too fast...
and is concerned with his driving record?
If this were me, I'd be on my knees thanking the good lord that I didn't just kill a bunch of people...They say that at 20 MPH if you rear end someone there is enough force there to sever the person's spine...at the speed you were going, the wouldn't have even had a chance....
We all can get a little side-tracked out here, and it's easy to get complacent, thinking that nothing's gonna happen to me. Doesn't work like that...mistakes like this kill people...
Quit being cocky...this kind of attitude kind of demonstrates that you didn't learn a thing from this. My family drives on the same roads you and I do...and they may one day be the ones in front of your truck going 35 mph..... :evil:
#37
Quote:
matcat said: "and as far as her trailer being white, I was just stating the facts" Originally Posted by matcat
First off, I NEVER said it WASNT MY FAULT, I never said that I wasn't going too fast, and as far as her trailer being white, I was just stating the facts, and those lights are about 20 feet apart, 60 feet of visibility of those lights. I know where my mistake was, and I know it was my fault, I was just stating the situation, and your damned right I am going to be defensive when people start pointing fingers at me for no purpose and calling me immature, I just asked the question in the context of the situation. And no it never accorded to me that someone else might be going 35mph because at the time I thought 50mph was a safe speed for the conditions, as I was going 65 before hitting the fog, and I thought that if I could see the fog lights 60 feet out, I could surely see tail lights at 60ft out (wrong, tail lights are no wheres near as bright), and obviously yes 60ft is still extremely close distance and not stopping range.
I guess you haven't seem very many trailers. The vast majority of trailers are white. In addition you should have known trailer lights, with the exception of LEDs, are know to not be very bright. In addition most drivers don't keep the clean.
Question for all those reading this post. How many drivers clean the trailer lights everytime they fill up?
I agree with the majority you were driving faster than the conditions allowed. And 60 feet at any highway speed isn't anywhere far enough. Looking at the Indiana Drivers Manual as an example. The stopping distance for a loaded Tractor-trailer (loaded) with cool brakes is 256 ft. at 55 mph. That same setup for hot brakes is 430 ft. Even an Tractor-trailer (empty) has a stopping distance is 249 ft. at 55 mph.
Take a look at: http://www.batesville.k12.in.us/phys...gDistData.html and you will see not even a car can stop in 60 feet at 60 mph.
Are you immature? I doubt it. However, it would appear whoever trained you didn't teach you completely. Add that to your lack of experience and you have a lot to learn. What worries me is what else didn't they teach you.
kc0iv
#38
CrazyTulip , 02-27-2008 02:49 PM
Question for all those reading this post. How many drivers clean the trailer lights everytime they fill up?
Not me, only when I think about it and when it's snowing for sure.
Not me, only when I think about it and when it's snowing for sure.
#39
Orange Andy , 02-27-2008 05:31 PM
Just something I want to mention. I live and drive in the most dangerous ground fog area in the USA. We have 100 car pileups just about every winter between Sacramento and Bakersfield. Im 54, and a 2.4M miler.
You have to be prepared to come up on a 90 year old lady (just for example) in a white or gray car, with her lights off, going 9 mph. Remember that, and you will never hit anyone in the fog. She has a right to go that speed, and you must allow for it. Period.
Now with that understood, do you see how fast 50mph in a truck sounds?
Also, remember that just because you entered a foggy stretch does not mean the fog will be consistent. You may have 400 ft. of visibilty, and as soon as you adjust down to that level, it gets thicker, and in one second you now can only see 40 feet. That is what you have to be ready for. And few do it.
Let then hit YOU in the rear, with your flashers on. Not the other way around.
Im just glad you and the other party lived to learn how to drive in fog for tomorrow.
You have to be prepared to come up on a 90 year old lady (just for example) in a white or gray car, with her lights off, going 9 mph. Remember that, and you will never hit anyone in the fog. She has a right to go that speed, and you must allow for it. Period.
Now with that understood, do you see how fast 50mph in a truck sounds?
Also, remember that just because you entered a foggy stretch does not mean the fog will be consistent. You may have 400 ft. of visibilty, and as soon as you adjust down to that level, it gets thicker, and in one second you now can only see 40 feet. That is what you have to be ready for. And few do it.
Let then hit YOU in the rear, with your flashers on. Not the other way around.
Im just glad you and the other party lived to learn how to drive in fog for tomorrow.
#40
Quote:
Considering that total stopping distance at 55 mph under good conditions is 290 feet, and you travel another 32 feet before your brakes actually apply, i'd say you were going too fast for the conditions.Originally Posted by matcat
And no it never accorded to me that someone else might be going 35mph because at the time I thought 50mph was a safe speed for the conditions, as I was going 65 before hitting the fog, and I thought that if I could see the fog lights 60 feet out, I could surely see tail lights at 60ft out
