Amish buggy struck by semi

I have every confidence in BW9's and 07-379's abilities to handle their vehicles. Those guys know what they are talking about. Despite being "lowly" flatbedders. Between the two of them, there is more experience and knowledge than what you will find in ten of our average TTR members. Myself included.

I can't tell you how many hours I've been on the phone with 07-379, picking his brain about general trucking knowledge. Knowledge that is relevant to what I do, even though I am a door-slammer.

I have sat across a table from BW9 for hours, listening to him speak of business and mechanics...and come away with improved ideas. Time very well spent. I should rather say, time well invested.

I may not agree with everything either of them has to say and will poke back and forth with them on occasion, but I do not doubt their abiities and knowledge. I heed their advice when given and think long before opting to go against any they have offered me. Regardless of whether I like the presentation or not.

I would suggest others might open their minds a bit and listen to them.




As to Amish people. I have never had a negative experience with them. They live simply and believe in doing things in the old ways. They have strong families, tight communities and good values. They do not believe in fighting...whether in a personal confrontation or in court. They are very forgiving. They have a sharp sense of humor. They will answer questions from curious outsiders. They are friendly and polite.

Too bad more of us aren't like them.

 

I don't see why the driver should have been charged with homicide. At most, he should have been charged with manslaughter. Homocide charges should be reserved for those who deliberately kill someone. My guess is that the prosecutor and/or police wanted to over charge him in hope of getting a plea agreement for the charge they truly wanted. I have come close to hitting a couple of those buggies. I had one bolt out in front of me near Smithville, KY. At the time I had no idea there were any Amish in the area at the time.

 

to answer your question, it's never acceptable to be out of control of your vehicle, but most people are trying to let you know that you can always be in control of your vehicle, but loose control of the situation, and that's usually when the issue arises..

ever seen a truck get blowed over by high winds that were created by a freak storm, pretty sure driver was in control of the vehicle but had no control of the situation, or maybe he shouldn't have been hooked to a 13'6" van.. how about a narrow dirt road that decides to give allowing truck and trailer to lay over into a canal. maybe that driver shouldn't have been waiting in line to deliver his load of dirt that would have help to fix a levy break and save a town from flood waters.

hell i've seen citrus haulers loose control of situations because of mechanical malfunctions beyond anyone's control and the best and only thing they could do is lay it over in a ditch or kiss a tree to keep from killing someone..

with all of that being said, it's never acceptable, but it happens, why it happens, because a sequence of events in the end determines the final out come.

you're making it seem as if everything involving trucking is predictable, and it isn't. if it were i wouldn't be doing it. you ask about a boy on a bike, or trees falling. the only thing you can do in a situation like that is take care of yourself.

you say you should never out drive your head lights, well 60' in front of me is no where near being to the edge of my head lights, but chances are if i'm rolling 55mph, i couldn't even make an attempt to swerve it if it's not living, if it's living, i'll attempt just to say i did, but i'm sure the trailer is going to catch it. that would be a situation in which i take care of myself. i refuse to to risk my life for someone else stupidity. would you? i wanna know.

 

Wrong they are not a motor vehicle, thats the difference.

Wrong on so many accounts here. The Amish do use fuel and also do a great deal of damage to the roads.

Not all use the lights or triangles, most do now but the elder won't cause its not their beliefs.

The tax issue is tricky and I don't know all about it. I do know they pay very little.

Not all are self employed.

Live around the Amish all your life and you would be jaded too! Trust me, I live right next to Holmes County, the US's largest Amish community.

That being said not all are bad.

 

They may not be a "motor" vehicle...but they do have an equal right to use the roadway just as you do in a big rig or your personal vehicle...or even on a bicycle.

This should be good!

If you consider hay and oats, or alfalfa a "fuel"...yes I guess they do! And that 1000 lb horse along with the 200 pound buggy....not including the weight of the occupant(s)....yeah they really tear up the asphalt. Must be those skinny "tires" on the buggy not displacing enough weight...or the metal shoes on the horses hooves digging in for that additional traction!

Give me a break Les...I grew up around horses and wagons...on dirt, chip-n-seal, and asphalt....roadway damage is not an issue!

The "elder" is usually back at the "ranch" while the younger "worker bees" are going to town doing the "business"! "Not in their beliefs"? You're scraping the dregs of the barrel to have an argument.....

How is it tricky? they don't participate in the Social Security System...that is (by law and code) "not in their beliefs"...even the ones that are employed outside the "clan" don't have SS deductions along with the employer doesn't have to pay the employers "share" for their earned wage. And they pay the regular/same property and sales taxes as any other US citizen.

Not all truck drivers are either, not all drivers are company, not all drivers are Lease Operators, not all "females" were always "females"....get my drift?

OK I can understand where you are leaning on this! I must admit I am a bit jaded with Mormons....I grew up right in the middle of the center of their world....

Same with the Mormons!

 

There's a listing in every basic driver's manual (not commercial) that shows the triangle marker on slow moving vehicles like a tractor... or an Amish buggy.

These folks live peaceful lives, and except for being bored out of my mind, it'd be good to that all that hard work... except for losing my moustache/goatee.

How on Earth can you folks have such a cavalier attitude about this? Someone died, an idiot's driving career is over, and all you folks can do is throw attitude about why these people think they have a right to the road. They have a right, just like the rest of us, or a farmer with a tractor, or a kid on a bicycle.

I really shouldn't have to tell you this, but it's our jobs as professionals to watch for hazards like this and give them a wide berth...

The next thing we'll hear is one of the arrogant idiots on our board here talking about what an idiot some kid was for running out between cars after his ball, gets hit.... and "we" say "didn't that stupid kid realize we own the road?".

Are you really reading what you write? Really? If so, you should be ashamed.

 

Hey ronin....if you want some of that "good hard work" and keep your mustache/goatee....come on out....I got some yard work I can put you on....and Deb can make you a fresh home made apple pie for your good deed!

 

Reminds me of the movie Kingpin, where Woody Harrelson was posing as an Amish guy..