It's been awhile since my last post, But I am here for the Newbies learning to be a Truck driver.....
Please remember what you have been told about looking at your Mirrors every 5 to 7 seconds, I myself was told by my trainer you can relax and look at them on the Highway every 10 to 20 seconds sometimes to get so relaxed that you look at them about 1 to 2 minutes.....Always Predict what might happen!!
I was on I-75 going south pass dayton Ohio, on right hand lane with an on ramp couldn't get over, so I maintain my lane, when a Lady Came on to Highway, Saw the car gave her some Room to get on, she speed up to merge, and out of Nowhere she Slammed on her Brakes and I with an 79,000 lbs load can't stop on a dime , Ramed her, Killing Her.....
A few Good truckers pulled over to help Us and her, but she was Dead, They seen what happen and kept telling me it wasn't my Fault, But it was cause I didn't react fast enough to avoid accident, later after police arrived I was told there was a Sucide Note in her Car and She said she was Sorry but wanted to end her Life, But that Note didn't make me feel better, In fact I have been Reliving that day 6 months later everyday, thinking what if I slowed down or Dumped my Truck in Ditch/or Emer. Lane....Everything that happen that Day has been Resolved, Nothing bad went on My DAC, Cause of that Note and State Highway Potrol investagation...But I can nolonger drive a Truck or a Car without thinking of what Happen......I am Telling you Newbies ALWAYS try and give yourself enough room for anything to happen, and always look into your Mirrors and Predict what could happen, it's not just a driving Job, but a Mental Job as well....

That is a terrible thing for you to go through. Try to remember that it isn't your fault! That person wasn't thinking of anyone but herself and her misery and didn't think about the consequences of her actions.

I can't say I know what you are going through, but I'm always willing to listen. And I'm sure everyone here supports you 100%.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this!

I'll never - EVER - understand how people can commit suicide in such a manner. I believe everybody has the right to end his/her life, but to basically force another driver to kill them (and considerably endanger the public in the process) - that is so, so... I'm at a loss for words. Selfish comes to mind, but that's too harmless an expression.

A good warning to heed driver, thanks. Best of luck to you in the future.

Grayhare I hope you are in counseling to help you with this. I know by me telling you it's not your fault (which it isn't) that doesn't take the pain and the feelings you have away. You could not have anticipated her suicidal intentions. She planned it so you couldn't have time to react and avoid her. I will keep you in my prayers that you are released from your pain and grief.

I had something similar to that. Back in the early 90's on a 2 lane in Arkansas, a lady tried to hit me headon. I avoided hitting her headon but she hit the front drive ,then went under the trailer. What a mess! I had to get new tires and wheels, shift my load with a wrecker, and drive to my delivery. Then I took the trailer in for new axles. Yes it hurts and bothers you but the best way to get over it is to get back in the saddle. You are going to see lots of wrecks and have to help hurt people. I had to pull an infant and mother out of a rollover in the bottom of a ditch one winter and it never feels good and you (hopefully) never get used to it. The bad ones you will remember all your life. Drive safe, follow the rules, do your best and let God take care of the rest. Hope that helps.

It souds like you are suffering from post traumatic stress. You really need to get some professional help, it is not normal to relive the event over and over again. i wish you well and you really need to get some professional help. good.

I do not think that anyone that chooses to end their life realizes that it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Not only is it harder for their families and friends to deal with on this choice, but it also alters the person's life that they involved in their suicide. Whether it be suicide by cop by pointing a weapon at a cop so the cop will kill them or if they chose to involve a trucker to take them out.

I had a friend that ended his life after we came back from Desert Storm. He stepped in front of a semi on I-69. You never know what triggers a person to do something. My advice to anyone would be to understand that it is the person that choose this path and not the driver that crossed it.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

...Glad you covered that occurance,...

That was a really selfish act she did. It wasn't your fault ,but no matter how much consuling that you get, the pain that you feel will never go away. But you have to get on with life and perhaps one day the pain will subside. Thank you for teaching us new drivers one more thing we should respect, that carelessness of others can change your life forever.