Accidents ...what's the Truth?

I think most stress in created (or at least increased) by stuff going on at home and lack of sleep.

 

Interesting. Did you factor in the number of truck drivers, compared to the number of people in schools? Considering all the people in all the schools compared to the number of truck drivers, the percentage of drivers dying may even be much higher.

Assuming you didn't factor that in... If there are 3 million truck drivers, and 30 million people in schools, That would be 10 times as many in schools then driving trucks and I believe that would make it closer to 880 times more likely for a truck driver to die in a truck crash then for someone to get shot dead at a school.

And specifically, I believe the quote said something about teachers vs drivers specifically. How many killed in schools were teachers? They weren't all teachers, so that obviously makes an even wider gap.

But I'm no statistician...

 

If you really feel the job is too dangerous and scary... then pack up your barbies and go home.. deliver pizza, deliver flowers, deliver Jimmy Johns...

I think it is important to know the risks of the job... but fear.. False, Evidence, Appearing, Real.. is useless.. and puts you more at risk...

I know it is a hard pill to swallow... but this job is not the toughest job out there, it is not the most dangerous.. yes, there are some risks and some stresses... but every job has those...

I enjoy what I do... and feel the risks are worth it and manageable... I ride a motorcycle, there are risks with that.. but I enjoy it and the risks are worth it... I dont go around whinning about how dangerous motorcycle riding is..

 

Compared only the numbers provided in the links I posted. There are many ways to compare stats, what I did was one pure comparison in response to an absurd comment on another thread and brought up again on this thread.

I agree completely about the population comparison you mention, the percentages ramp up dramatically.

As for teacher vs. student deaths, the stat I linked indicates total fatalities, that leads me to believe any person who was killed as a result.

 

It's hard to tell who you are addressing when you don't quote them. It appears you are replying to the post just prior to yours, which was mine. And I doubt that.

 

Who is whining about the risks here?

The OP began this thread over a remark on another thread http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ities-trucking-incredibly-strong-right-4.html that your a fully aware of and is looking for some honest feedback, I supplied some as have others, including yourself. I provided legitimate statistical references in an effort to educate everyone, including myself.

You have every right to trivialize the risks of your occupation, I just hope you respect those risks that are within your control enough so as not to become a victim, and keep in mind that there are certain things beyond your control that can injure, maim, or kill you.

I may be wrong, and if so, I apologize, but I cannot help but get the impression that you are cavalier in your attitude about the risks trucking.

 

The problem I have with using statistical data to determine how dangerous driving is... is that were the drivers in the statistics using the Smith System, were they well rested, were they not distacted.. either by talking on their headsets, thinking about stuff at home, eating, smoking or any other ddistraction...

I see driver out there all the time doing stupid stuff.. following too close, refusing to get off cruise control when cars are merging, waiting till the last minute to get over to make an exit or coming into a contruction zone...

Motoman.. a popular motorcycle riding trainer says.. that 99% of all accidents are avoidable... and I belive that.. it is my responsibility to be alert to what could happen and be prepared to react.. if I am coming up on an exit and there is a car zooming up along my left... that might be their exit and they may cut right infront of me to get to it... being aware that that could happen makes me better able to respond if it does...

Work related injuries... well, there are things I can do to minimize those risks too... be fit and healthy, wear proper clothes and shoes... cant fall out of my truck cause my flip flop got stuck if I am not wearing flip flops... be attentive to what I am doing when I am doing it... I see drivers getting out of their trucks talking on the phone, hands full and that is an accident waiting to happen... and one that will end up a statistic...

Yes.. there are risks... but, one can empower themselves to be safer and able to manage the risks and stresses...


So, I do feel I have more power in managing the risks and dangers of my job as a truck driver than the teacher sittting at their desk when a student pulls a gun... there have been 75 school shootings since Sandy Hook... other than just not showing up for school.. what cojld thoes teachers or students have done differently to not be shot...

I can choose not to drive in rush hour traffic, I can choose not to drive in bad weather, I can decided to drive slower and stay out of the pack, etc, etc...

 

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Don't be a statistic"? So yes, of course everyone can take steps to lessen their odds. But that doesn't make statistics invalid.

There is a "Smith System" for predicting school shootings too:

http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/school-shooter

How many times have we heard of "missed warning signs" in the aftermath of a school shooting?

You can "Smith System" all you want, and that's great. There are still situations you will encounter that are beyond your control, and they can kill you dead in an instant.

I round hundreds of narrow curves a week that simply leave no time or room for error. I have no way of predicting, or avoiding another truck encroaching my lane or dropping a shifted load on me.

The statistics still show you are more likely to die in a truck crash then a teacher will in a classroom shooting.

 

I saw a perfect example of just that a few days ago.

There was a man driving bobtail in front of the pickup truck that was in front of me, fortunately for me and the fellow driving the other pickup truck we both leave plenty of room between vehicles as a safety factor (I do this habitually). We are all in the left lane on a bridge in a construction zone, I can see the pickup and the bobtail, but no further ahead, but I do know that we are coming upon the work crew. Suddenly there was a massive cloud of smoke and I notice the bobtail swerving, fishtailing and running over safety cones as he crosses back and forth into the closed right lane. The pickup in front of me, due to ample space had time to brake and avoid hitting the bobtail as I had the same space to avoid hitting the pickup in front of me, none of us ever came to complete stop and luckily I did not get rear-ended. What was really fortunate is that the bobtail managed to gather and then maintain control of his tractor, and that this occurred before actually getting to where the crew was working and not kill any construction workers.

I hope that driver had to change his shorts afterwards. That event certainly had an effect on him, for immediately after clearing the construction zone and moving into the right lane he slowed to at least 10MPH less than traffic where as prior he had been going with the flow of about 68-69 in a 65 zone.

To anyone who feels the need to accuse a MEGA et al., this was an independent operator local to Alaska, so save it...

 

I am sorry this is so obvious I should have lead with it.