Who Causes Most Of The Semi-Truck / Car Accidents?

[JHansen]

Professional drivers are no different then any other profession-there are some people in the business that should be working at the drivethru at McDonalds but IMO the majority take their job seriously. I pushed a 6 axle full truck/full trailer combination weighing in over 110000 lbs. and hauling flammable liquids (crude oil/condensate/produced water) around the province of Alberta for 6 years and saw enough stupid stunts by 4 wheelers to curl your hair..... and yes a few by "professional drivers" as well-but the 4 wheeler incidents outnumbered the big guys probably 100-1. I agree with Wayno and Rob-everyone should have to go for a ride in a 5-axle to see what it's like. I miss the way I could see the road from the cab-don't really miss what I used to see from there though... ...



Guys like Larry and Dave have seen the seamy side of the profession which is sad-all it takes are a few cowboys like that to put everyone in a bad light. Most drivers aren't like that-honest... .



Jason

 

[lschultz]

Doc Tinker---THERAPIST

Whats this world comming to. I guess we have a resident therapist on board now-Doc Tinker I don't drive a big truck but I see what they go through and we got some a**hole drivers in central Texas. Hell you ought to see what they do to me when I am in the VW(keeps my blood pumping). There not as bad when I'm in my truck. Thats why I leave my dropped receiver hitch in to ram um stick it to um. I remember years ago it seemed like there were better truck drivers than now. But there are some good ones out there. Everbody is in a hurry. World needs to slow down-go back to the good ole days.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Ishultz,



It's not even a speed thing, it's a lack of attention thing, just because I drive fast, by no means does that make me unsafe. If people would pay more attention to what they're SUPPOSED to be doing, instead of all the crap they are really doing, there would zero accidents.



Someone screwed up to cause an accident, I wasn't just drivin' fast and all of a sudden, my truck wrecks, someone screwed-up. People need to get they're thumb outta they're arse, and put full attention to the road, period.



I shouldn't have to suffer by gettting a speeding ticket, because some dope is reading the newspaper while driving his car, and just hittin' the brakes fer no reason whatsoever. I'm am a VERY safe driver, yet I am also very agressive on the road, if you pay attention, you can do that.



I can go on and on about this and get no where, so I continue on my quest, to explain to people (via gestures, and hollering out the window) they're faults, and maybee someday, instead of deisel fuel tax increases, to raise money, they're start handin' out "Stupidity tickets", the government would have a surplus of funds, and the population would be BROKE, 'cept fer me of course.



Later, Rob

 

[Wayno]

Well,here in Texas(Greater Houston Area)I think it's a " Don't Care Thing ". Many Tax Dollar's spent on Speed Limit sign's and most folk's pay them no attention at all,not to mention Stop sign's and Red light's!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rich m]

there's a time limit!!!

Originally posted by illflem

What rich??? Didn't ask the question .

oops! lemme make sure the "edit " button still works!







added on edit:



an edit has a 1440 minute time limit!



for the record, IMH (and edited) O, Doc Tinker causes all those accidents... . nationwide..... 7 days a week... . 24 hours a day... Illflem has nothing to do with them... . I needed to clean my glasses... . I was Typing WHUA... .

 

[Hammer]

Thanks Doc for this one,like we needed it...

Well now after trying to type a answer to this thread without loosing my cool for the 5th consecutive time here I go for the last attempt(Dennis have a little mercy here on me,this is one that sent the blood a racin)... .

jcarew says-"Speeding Semis driving their rigs hammer down, rain or shine, with little regard for conditions or traffic. except!!!!! in OHIO they do pretty well keeping the cowboys in line. "

Ok,now since I see where this is goin I'll try a little tact here,,I'll agree that speed may be the cause in many truck,auto or auto/truck related incidents,BUT,little regard,professional drivers hold safety as the highest regard,PERIOD!!,,On the "cowboys in line" comment all I can say is I'll just consider the source...

He also says-"The most skillful professional drivers seem to gravitate to Swift of Ariz. , Schneider drivers are good, Yellow freight, Werner, consolidated their are a few more but these drivers are the most obviously skilled. "

Well again I'll consider the source,but,I'll add this for him since its obvious he is oblivious to the number of trucking firms out there,,Larger companies are way more visible due to the number of total units of theirs visible on the roads and its obvious to me thats why you listed the ones you did,,Look around sir,there are way more professional drivers out there driving for many other companies that have credentials to back up their safety records,both company drivers(large or small) or owner operators. .



Next web jem I seen here that was a hit not needed was the one posted by lgibson,,I'd only have to wonder if he would like us to stay in the right lane and not pass, period,,since I was not there and know the perils of a lengthy pass(provided by the age of computer fuel trucks and even speeds)all I can stay is this,man lighten up and give the guy a chance to pass,,I do realize at times it can be a lengthy proceess that may infuriate you,but,your time will come to go around and we can all share the road together,,Last thing that set me off in your post was the on ramp ordeal. . Again,I was not there so I'll offer a side you may not know or be able to see,,jujst because the truck appeared to "speed up to keep you in" did you ever consider he may have had a car to his left and could not move over or that the car he"hit to keep you from entering" may have slowed abruptly and he could not stop in time due to it??,,Just a few offerings for you to consider,,One last thing here,most states have a yield sign posted on ramps for those wishing to enter to obey with highway traffic getting the right of way,you,as your writing above states,were not obeying that sign and experienced a inconvience by waiting a extra second or two,so what do you want us to do,stop and allow your access just because your on the ramp and want out,think about it,logic will prevail.....



Next piehole flapper had some even better web jems about speed and the governors,,Bottom line is speed kills,no matter how fast or slow you drive and what your driving does not matter,,Companies govern trucks for many reasons,fuel milage,insurance,equipment longevity,maintence,etc etc and accidents,even fatals,will happen even if the unit is not governed,,You were correct in saying the public is oblivious to what it takes to manuver around in one of these trucks,thats where the "Share the road" campagin comes in,,Helping educate the public and student drivers to become more aware of trucks and their blind spots/movements has been happening all around,look in on a seminar,you may learn something...



Guess I'll end with this,,In my 3. 5 million miles of safe driving I have seen my share of accidents caused by many reasons,the industry is not perfect,all we can do is try to learn from mistakes and move on and not speculate on what happened on any incident your not directly involved in,,A true professional driver(semi or automobile) gets up each morning with an attitude to learn and never stops learning,,The one who thinks he knows everything is a danger to us all,no matter wether he is driving a semi or a automobile and needs to be re-educated,,Many reasons cause semi/auto incidents and they are way to numerous to list here,so we all have to share the road and be considerate of others and practice safety,,I have in my years driving not been a angel,nobodys perfect,,I do run hard where it permits and slow down when needed,but,in the end safety is first,,This semi truck hate crapola stirs me in a way that will light the biggst fire in me,,I try to lead by example and will offer like I do at safety seminars I do,anyone who sees me on the road is more than welcome to sit and chat about the industry along with sitting in my seat so they can learn about our blind spots and other duties,,Theres alot more than just sitting down going on in my office while I am moving and those who'd like a chance to experience it,I'd gladly let them,,It will change your views on most things,not all,but most,,I'll end with this... If you got it ,a truck brought it... Remember that next time your slippin into your Ram or slidin a knife thru your favorite meal at some time EVERYTHING we touch has been on a truck somewhere in its journey... ..... Andy

P. S. -You want to see some of the best drivers in the industry,look up your local Motor Truck Association and go see their State driving championships,,Its a trip you will enjoy,trust me,I've been competing for the last 15 years there is nothing like it... .

 

[Jeff H]

When was the last time anyone saw a rig that didn't have someone tailgating or better known as drafting. Think the drafter has no marbels up stairs at all. Those tires when they blow can cause trouble.

 

[redramnc]

My wife has a million + miles perfect driving record OTR in all kinds of rigs. I respect her judgement when she says that most accidents are preventable if people (truck drivers and automobile drivers) would PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS! It is incredible to see the clueless and inattentive drivers doing stupid things in traffic that I see everyday.



Cell phones should be connected to a ignition cutoff switch so they can't talk and drive at the same time. The laid-back to the rear floor driver seats should have a limit switch so they can't move if they can't see over the dash. Newspapers, cereal bowls, and makeup kits should be banned from the front seat area. Let the kid scream in the baby seat and stop trying to drive while looking at the kid in the rearview mirror.



Just because they are special and don't want to wait in line like everybody else doesn't mean I am going to let them squeeze into the 10 feet in front of me in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Use your turn signal and I will consider it. Same thing, everyday.



Like posted earlier, it's a shame that anybody with a pulse can be let loose on the road - you should have to prove competency to be allowed to drive. Of course, the incompetents would just cry "Discrimination" - that it is their "right" to go out and cause accidents that cause my insurance to go up - and then sue because they was disabled (not that they wanted to work beforehand) as a result of their own actions.



Rant over - brought on by a 22 mile commute to work and the associated non-driving populace I have to try to thread through each way.

 

[lgibson]

Hammer,



First let me say I have driving trucks both in town and over the road. It has been a few years since then and I only done it for a little over a year.

If you were were not there than don't "assume" anything. I was getting off of one freeway and getting on another. No Yield sign. I had over a 1/4 mile to get over. I entered going the same speed as the truck as well as all other traffic. Yes there was traffic to his left and he could not get over, but there was plenty of room to move over in front of him without effecting him what so ever. He DID speed up. The traffic DID NOT slow down. He was leaning over and giving me the finger as he taped the car in front of him. That car spun out and hit a few more cars. I did not do anything to get him upset.

As for not letting them pass, they can pass all they want. I can have my cruise control slowly approching two trucks doing the same speed. Now I am not saying this happens all the time, but a few times just as I start to pass them one of them jump into the left lane just in front of me.

I am not saying all drivers are bad, in fact most are great. There are quite a few that are jerks though. If you have driven 3. 5 million miles then you have been driving for a while. Remember listening on the CB and all the fun we had. What do you hear now? Complaining mostly. I took the CB out of my truck because I got tired of all the B%^#$@. I am sure you also noticed how many new inexperanced drivers that hot rod. After all the problems that I had seen I am still respectful of trucks. I flash my lights letting them know they have cleared. I always keep their mirrors in sight, never riding ones bumper and never cutting one off or getting over right in front of one.

Mr. Hammer, I am sure you are a good safe driver and I would love to see that championships, but you have to admit there are some bad drivers out there and it is a shame they are the one people remember. I was a mechanic and I will tell you there is a lot of bad ones and they are why we were giving such a bad name.

 

[98rammer]

Originally posted by jcarew

Speeding Semis driving their rigs hammer down, rain or shine, with little regard for conditions or traffic.

yeah, ever been passed by a tanker (possibly milk?) truck doing 50+ in a snow storm!?! i mean, this was a snow storm that we were only doing 30-35 with my dad's truck and snowmobile trailer. and wait 'til you see the logger trucks (most are on back roads though with very few people). there are bad truckers out there, but for the most part, i do believe that it's the cars. these people have no regard or sense to weight and stopping distance like a lot of people have said, take a ride in one and then maybe those people will be a little more considerate to big rigs.

 

[E7mack96]

accidents

I have waited to post on this for awile...



I drive a "big rig" 6 days a week. Guess how many times I could KILL someone each and every day...



I am not lying when I say 2-3 times a DAY I could take out a carload of morons. My professional career is on the line. I'll admit that there are some bad seeds out there. I am not one of them.



The cars, and smaller commercial vehicles for that matter, have no regard for their own safety. They expect you to let them cut in, jam their brakes, and not kill them while you are laying down 18 patches of hot rubber.



I have only been in 2 accidents in a CMV. Both were Not my fault, andd both were Non-Preventable. Noone died, but could have.



I would like all local police agencies to step up the patrolling of roads and Ticket all agressive behavior they see.



Until people are educated about the ills they do, They don't know any better.

 

[ddesau]

Cars/trucks

One of the major causes of car/truck accidents are the cars crossing the center line -usually on a curve or making a bad pass. The other one is failure to yield. Most of the time its the stupid motorist who thinkts that they can either pull out in front of that truck or are just too lazy to stay right of the center line. Thats why I always hug the fog line thru any curves - thats the best way to avoid a nasty encounter. Drive safe out there. .

 

[ddesau]

Cars/trucks

I'll tell you whats scares me -its those OLD FARTS in huge motorhomes driving down the hwy. Someone driving a big rig -has to take a lot of training-instruction and driving - but any old geezer can go out and but a 40-50 ft monster (the RV plus the car towed behind it) and not have any instruction at all. Other than that I say if you see white hair -beware. .

 

[Joe G.]

ddesau,



The very worse RV drivers are the one in rental RVs. I drive on US101 in Northern California (wine and redwood country) a lot and have learned from several close calls to watch for the rentals. Loggers comments about them on the CB are NOT for prime time TV!!