Anybody witness the fiery crash in Denver involving a trucker?

Yes. A fellow with severe dyslexia was sent home from one of my training classes. Another student couldn't figure out how to use the legend data on a map to create even the simplest and most general truck-legal route.

 

Based on what we do know, I know I would definitely have done it differently.

No matter what, dude ####ed up. He missed the emergency ramp when he was clearly already in distress based on how he was trying to NASCAR the curves in the video of him bypassing the ramp.

Maybe he was having a medical emergency. Maybe he was drunk. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

What we do know is that he specifically stated that he made a choice to run over 4-wheelers, rather than hit the back of another truck.

So, yes, I will engage in some armchair quarterbacking, and I #### well will not feel sorry for doing it.

 

He got going too fast rolling down the mountain. He could not slow the truck. He was clearly out of control when he decided to not use the ESCAPE RAMP. He admittedly closed his eyes after he intentionally steered his truck toward stopped traffic. He killed 4 people.

 

Haters of technology (GPS Google maps) are going to keep hating. Regardless of claims on how these tools can help make your job easier. Are they necessary? Of course not. Otherwise they would be required.
It is illegal to be using a mobile device for any type of texting (or appearance of doing so) in many states for a good reason, it's a distraction. If you don't have these devices set up and affixed for pre-trip, do not use them while driving for the reason stated above.
Why is it so hard to get this through peoples heads here? Answer, haters of technology or anything different from their own experience, are going to hate. And before anyone gets their panties tight between their cheeks. Google maps is not the primary GPS source because it does not exclude non trucking routes.

On another note, I am a bit troubled about FMCSA rules. CDL drivers are required to have a workable knowledge of English but do not need to take the written exams in English (State dependent)? Although the physical exam is required in English. Doesn't get much more messed up than this. And that requirement of workable English is far too broad to interpret.

 

If using your phone in your hand is a distraction so is using it when it's mounted somewhere, either way your eyes are not on the road.

 

So is your mounted company provided GPS, or glancing at your physical map, no more, no less. So is your CB. So is your panties wedged between your cheeks. So where do you draw the line? Remember your not texting or engaging the mobile device set with route and GPS mapping on Google, while driving. Your not taking phone calls. In fact, it's voice commands with warnings and route if so desired after confirming that your route is a trucking route with maps or trucking GPS in pre-trip.

 

Some people are oblivious to the harsh realities and hard and fast decisions men in our world need to make. I pray you will never be in the same position as that sorry pos. You made your case and seem unwilling to consider any fault in it. If you ever lose your brakes and are rolling out of control down a mountain, use whatever apps or electronic devices you want. I'll be on the escape ramp.

 

Now where the **** did I say/imply that? Dude, you need to read the full thread in context and not cherry pick a single posting for crucifixion. **** me

 

His point is the guy was rolling out of control down a mountainside, any and all trip planning went out and there was no app going to save his ###. I use Google maps for figuring out which way to take all the time, I never take the any of the ways that show up as routes I make my own, and no I don't have my phone mounted anywhere and I'm not looking at it while driving down the road, it's not that hard to remember road names or highway numbers. I dont trust Google to tell me if there's any traffic up ahead, how long does it take for a traffic jam to start at 4:30 in the afternoon, about 37 seconds or so.

 

You said

I dont want to keep arguing back and forth. There are plenty of good uses for technology. Using it while no brakes on a mountain? You will never convince me to check google before hitting the escape ramp. Admittedly, after rereading your post it does seem like you tried to say he should have used the ramp no matter what info he got from google, so thats good I guess.