don't know what to do

Ok. Thanks for clarifying that driver. I'm glad you pulled through. Don't let that discourage you. God has a plan for us all, so don't be scared.

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yeah, but i think whether it was preventable or not is completely beside the point to both the driver and the co-driver right now. coming face to face with your mortality is disturbing to say the least, and whose at fault is beside the point.

 

There was a time a few years ago when I was driving for an Outlaw Company and I have to admit the equipment was a death trap... I was very very very very stupid for continuing to drive for the guy... Anyway, I was coming down the siskiyou pass (I-5 Southbound), I was in a 07 freightliner with no jake and over gross by 1000 lbs. I have done this grade and many others with the same truck and heavy but this day ended up being a bad day.....

Half way down the grade when I went to drag the brake for a few seconds before the next curve I noticed the brake felt different. more spongy.... the dragging the brake for a few seconds didnt slow me at all.... I started going faster and faster... having to use the brake more then I felt comfortable doing, still not slowing.... losing air pressure.... psi not building.... started stab braking.... not working... air warnings started coming on... brakes stared smoking.... Speedometer says i am reaching 75mph... at this point I disregard all painted lanes and start cornering the truck as if I was racing nascar.... I swear to you all that I reached 79mph... I stared feeling the the truck leaning like it was about to roll... I popped out my parking/trailer brakes.... that didnt do anything... I stood up in my seat pressing the brake to the floor.... nothing...This grade does not have a truck escape ramp... Signs at the bottom tell you to keep left down a straight road that lets you bypass the bug check station if you loose your breaks. At this point I am thinking about my options.... run the right side of the truck against the side of the hill so.... jump out the truck... i didnt know what to do.... nearing the bottom it starts leveling out some... the truck starts slowing.. but the truck doesnt wanna stop... I got the truck to stop about 1/4 mile from the bug check station... and actually had to put blocks infront of the tires so it wouldnt roll. The parking breaks wouldnt hold the truck...

I have no idea at all how the hell i got that truck to stop. But I am fine with saying that i did shed some tears. I almost died!!.. I sat on the side of the road for about 3 hours before I started driving the truck. After I got home I took an entire month of and didnt know if I ever wanted to drive again. I did though. But about 3 years later, before any grades I stop, check my breaks, lines, light a smoke, put the hazards on, and descend the grade slow as hell....

Most scariest thing that has ever happened to me. yeah i would say its what that other driver said (PTSD)...lol but I am a trucker, its a love hate relationship... but I push through it. I just make sure now that I have good working equipment, and drive for a company that values safety and maintenance.

 

I understand how you feel. Just take some needed time off and weigh the options. You can always find a new company which will give you a new start in a way... I took a whole month off and like I said, the big grades still bother me but I just add a little extra caution and I inspect the truck like I am suppose to. I know yours was not related to brakes but rather hitting another truck. When you get back to work, try doing it different by letting the super truckers be super truckers, and keep a bigger stopping distance...

 

Well untill you find composer I would say find another line of work.You have been scared and nervous from the get go and if you can't keep calm while driving then there's another accident waiting to happen.I'm not saying you're a bad driver but you can't be this scared and drive a semi.

 

I agree. Good advice...