Holidays safety warning

Discussion in 'Trucking Accidents' started by 4x4_Welder, Nov 30, 2014.

  1. 4x4_Welder

    4x4_Welder Medium Load Member

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    Sep 16, 2014
    Eastern Orygun
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    I'm not sure if a truck was involved or not, but still a good warning-
    A few days ago in Monahans TX there was a collision that closed both directions of 20, and the westbound service road. When I passed by, there was the rear half of a pickup/SUV frame on one side of the road, and a completely flat burned vehicle in the median. This was not even in the news, these horrific crashes are so common here. There doesn't seem to be a mile of interstate 20 that doesn't have massive gouges and burn marks on the side (even the newly paved bit in Midland has damage already).
    The worst part is that when I went by the site today, there was a man who looked to be in his 70s standing in the median where the flattened burned out vehicle had been, praying or staring at the ground I don't know. That had to be the saddest thing I have ever seen. To lose someone at this time of year is especially hard.
    There are a lot of absolutely terrible and very illegally operating drivers in the oil fields here, double logs aren't just common they're almost required. Guys brag about 100hr weeks.
    Putting yourself in danger is one thing, but putting others in danger really crosses the line. If you're tired, pull over and sleep. If you get reprimanded, walk out of there with your head and middle fingers held high, knowing that someone didn't get severely injured or killed that night because of you.

    Just keep it safe.
     
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  3. Roadrealtor

    Roadrealtor Road Train Member

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    Fort Myers, FL
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    thanks for the post. Fatigue is a killer. inattention is a bigger killer. Don't get distracted!
     
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  4. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Longview, TX
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    I hate to admit it, but I think 80 MPH speed limits is a big factor as well. This creates #1, too many driving at "unsafe speeds", and #2, too much speed differential between too many vehicles.

    80 MPH is not unsafe if your vehicle and tires are up to spec, AND if you don't make the slightest mistake, (and the wind isn't cross-blowing @35-40 MPH). A moment of distraction is almost guaranteed to result in a horrific crash at those speeds. (And when the speed limit is 80, you have to know some feel the need to drive 85-90)
     
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  5. 4x4_Welder

    4x4_Welder Medium Load Member

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    I couldn't agree more, especially when so many trucks are limited under 70. These 75mph two-lanes are a recipe for disaster too.
     
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  6. Dr_Fandango44

    Dr_Fandango44 Road Train Member

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    Aug 27, 2012
    Austin, TX
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    Too much fuss is made over going too fast can cause accidents. Well in contrast going too slow can be just as dangerous in many instances. What you're really saying is that common sense isn't being used in the course of driving but there are plenty of guys out there that do the right thing, day in day out.
    You take control of your own destiny and truck driving.
    theres no dispatcher or figure in management going to tell me how I'm going to drive.
    im the captain of this "ship"
    theres no such thing as a "hot" load in my eyes.
    The load will get there when I do. That's a no brainer. If they don't like it......tough.
    just because I see multiple accidents on the road, that DOESN'T change the way I drive.
    Its unfortunate but it's the name of the game in trucking. We all know that.
    You just do the best you can every time you climb into the seat.
    no amount of lecturing and silly buzz word slogans via the QComm is going to influence my driving acumen.
    Good luck.
     
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  7. ShortBusKid

    ShortBusKid Heavy Load Member

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    Agree on the speed limits, 80 is probably too much. Same with the two lanes marked for 75. As to the Midland/Odessa area in General, every time I go through there I feel like it's death race 2000. Tons of truck traffic and everybody driving like they're about to sell the last Lone Star at the local bar. I try and time it to pass through at night if possible and not stop.
     
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  8. 4x4_Welder

    4x4_Welder Medium Load Member

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    Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's purely speed that is a problem in high speed zones like this. It's the fact that you have trucks limited to 65-70 mixed with people in cars who know they have to do 80-85 because that's what the sign says, plus low speed heavy haul mixed in all right side by side. It's the speed differential that is the issue (consequently if there never was a speed/trajectory differential then a collision would be physically impossible). I would love to see this area get knocked down to 70 but that just won't happen.
    Most of the guys here are new and just do what the dispatcher tells them.
    This past weekend was great on 20 through Midland, everybody was taking it out on each other at the mall instead of on the highway.
     
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