Would THIS have been a "Preventable Accident"

Discussion in 'Trucking Accidents' started by T100SR5, Feb 9, 2015.

  1. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    Why is it always the guy being passed by 2 mph's fault for not 'backing out of it'? I drove a 62 mph Crete truck for years and had the occasional opportunity to pass a 60 or 61 mph truck, but had the patience not to because I realized that getting ahead of them wouldn't really gain me that much in the grand 14 hour scheme of things. Within a hour or so, since our pee break schedule was different, one of us would be getting off to cool a tire anyway, so what is the point of taking 5 miles to pass that slightly slower vehicle just to get 100 yds ahead of it? Therein lies the issue...patience was in short supply on all accounts...
     
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  3. Vito

    Vito Heavy Load Member

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    I hear what you're saying but in my opinion, your perspective is wrong. Here's the thing: your truck got caught by another and you are being passed. Now, you being a professional and courteous driver, back off just for a second or two off the accelerator and let the dude go by, then he can get in front of you. No traffic jams behind, no irate 4 wheelers. You lose no time at the end of the day.

    You're question basically is, what does the other guy gain by passing you at 1-2 mph? Here's what I get, maybe others have other things to bring up:

    The On Guard in my truck beeps beeps beeps continuously when I am too close to another vehicle in front. So if I catch a truck, even if I'm going only 1 mph slower, I am going to be too close to that truck in front, for miles and miles and miles, and am going to have to continually back off/brake to appease the dang On Guard. That is a royal pain!

    Remember, my truck caught yours. That speed differential is not going to go away. Now I am forced to brake for the next, what, 50 miles perhaps? And I didn't just catch you on the straightaway. I caught you on both the uphills and the downhills, where a greater speed differential than just 1-2 mph exists. So passing becomes more imperative when you consider that as well.
     
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  4. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    I think our arguments should be limited to Earth, where virtually no truck driver is not exceeding the speed limit (and following too closely), if it's at all possible.

    If there's 3 lanes, the R lane is available for passing.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2015
  5. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    What I'd hoped someone would comment upon is the obvious absence of the most basic driving skills of all involved.

    They weave in their lanes as if they're drunk, most likely because they're looking right over the front edge of their hood. Our driving instructor, of course, is perfectly comfortable with less than 1 (ONE) 4-wheeler-length following distance, so he can't even see the fricken pavement.
     
  6. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    this is an easy resolve...with OnGuard, set your cruise...it automatically adjusts your speed to keep a safe distance without beeping...if it's beeping, you're already too close.

    and if you do pass me and get in front...in 40 or 50 miles, how much farther ahead are you? 1/2 mile...1 mile? If that makes a difference in your day...then passing a slightly slower truck isn't the problem.

    when I was at Crete, we had the stupid OnGuard system...In situations like this, I let it do it's job and keep pace with the guy in front..

    if it comes to an uphill issue, then time your pass so you are rolling hard before you hit the hill, then you're out, passed and back before you get to the top. I currently am in a 68 mph truck and have the same issues with a 62 mph truck, but with different companies. Thankfully I have a MaxxFarce that has a software glitch...if I roll on a hill and get over 72, it bypasses the governor and I can throttle until it hits a grade and drops below 72. So, I wait until I am in a position that will allow me to either pass without holding up traffic, or I hit enough of a downgrade that I can roll past the governor and get the job done. If neither option is available, I patiently wait until it becomes available...
     
  7. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    I'm fundamentally with Vito on this one. If I'm being passed by someone SLIGHTLY faster than I am I back off about 1-3 mph to help make their pass efficient so traffic flows. To flip your argument what have I lost by doing this? Maybe 100-150 yards in my day? Compare that to asking someone to stay behind me for one or two hours and they've lost 1-4 miles.

    The variance is MUCH greater when confronted with passing someone that apparently ISN'T using their cruise control. THAT creates some aggravating and at times dangerous situations. Let's say I'm cruising at 62 mph and am SLOWLY approaching a truck that suddenly slows to 55-57 mph, then when I initiate a pass he speeds back up to 61.75 mph; so I back off and get behind and he slows back down, etc. etc. etc.

    This scenario happened to me today, creating an ongoing problem for 30 miles before I finally had sufficient room to initiate a pass. Sure enough he sped right up again, but I held onto that pass for THREE miles without holding up any trucks, BUT eventually a dozen cars were right on us before he suddenly backed off to let me through.

    While it may be that some folks intentionally mess with another trucker, I'd have to say that most of this is simply mindless, clueless driving with a pinch of machismo thrown in. My bet is that the idiot that recorded the video in the OP was likely messing with Werner to prevent an efficient pass so he could gets some hits on YouTube.

    Being courteous contributes to safety.
     
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  8. tsavory

    tsavory Road Train Member

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    Well in my view i seen three drivers (steering wheel holders) all doing something wrong 1 was unsafe/lacking the courtesy to slow or attempt to move over for vehicles on shoulder.
    Second one was breaking the law since in GA as of last January (i think) they implemented a move right for faster traffic (even if your doing the speed limit) and a yeld to faster traffic to your left he failed to even attempt to slide right.
    And the third guy was unsafe and broke the law tailgating, improper use of the lane and a left lane violation.

    Edit: sorry it was July not January here is the summary of the Georgia law.

    Previously HB459, the new law requires any driver on multi-lane roadways is required to move to the right if they are being overtaken by another vehicle. Drivers traveling the speed limit would also be required to yield to vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit.
    Signage will be posted to alert travelers to the new rule. Starting July 1, violators would face up to $1,000 fines.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2015
  9. BrenYoda883

    BrenYoda883 Road Train Member

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    Before I came to werner I drove for a. O/O and tnen for a small company.. and the trucks were not governed.. T O/O even had a power box intsalled.. so, when I came to werner with tne trucks governed it took me a little bit to adjust... for one... passing... it is frustrating to pass when you can't step on it and get on by.... then with hills and the yo yo passing... I am passing them.. no wait now they are passing me.. now me again..

    Personally. . I find it easier and less stressful to just accept tnat I am governed ... so If I do catch up to a truck but cant pass them without a line of cars and trucks building up behind me.. I just bump it down notch and cruise at whatever the truck ahead of me is doing... and even slowing it down a mph or two I have never had a late load...

    If a governed truck attemps to pass me and it is gonna take awhile.. I just bump it down and let tnem get by me... it is easier and I believe safer... tnat way they can get by me and move back out of tne way ... and there isnt a long line of annoyed cars and trucks...
     
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  10. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Amen! Accepting that you are in a governed truck, to "mentally shift gears", is essential. You CAN'T speed up to make a pass, which leaves the only option to SLOW DOWN to stay behind or WAIT until you have PLENTY of room to make a loooonnnggg pass. It also means you have the option to SLOW DOWN to allow other folks the ability to pass. Seems like a LOT of governed folks just can't seem to get that concept.
     
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  11. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    Depends on the purpose.
     
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