Horrible crash in Lakewood CO, I70 closed both directions. 12 vehicles 4 semi huge fire

Okay. You're a driver but you're in favor of driver facing cameras? That's unusual.

 

I’m just used to it. Really not that big of a deal. Yeah it can be a pain when I want to grab my phone and google an address. I have to pull over and look it up which slows me down.

 

Funny you should mention this,I got my CDL from a state accredited CDL training school. In my case it was 5 months of training ( 2 1/2 months of classroom and written/oral testing and 2 1/2 months of on the road and “in the field “ testing and training,of which the final road testing you checked out with a DOT certified state trooper). If more states did this “by the book” chances are you’d have more CDL holders who would use common sense and it would “thin out the herd” of all these CDL mills that are more interested in filling quotas(and seats) than making sure the drivers have the necessary skills to safely operate CMVs.
(emphasis on the word “safely”)
Is it foolproof? No,but it would certainly help.

 

Regarding those who are saying the trucker's lack of English played no role...

Have you ever WITNESSED the so-called English proficiency test given to truck drivers? The person administering the tests literally asks, "What's your favorite food and why?" and poses simple math questions like, "A bottle of windshield washer fluid costs five dollars, you give the clerk a 20 dollar bill, how much change should you get back?"

The test is NOT hard enough to cover the rigors of the road when it comes to understanding signage and other tasks that keep the vehicle safe.

The English proficiency tests, in my opinion, should consist of a HUNDRED QUESTIONS MOSTLY ROAD SIGNS and you have to get a score of 95. And if you miss "RUNAWAY TRUCK RAMP" or "WEIGH STATION," it's an automatic fail.

Watch and see how this trial goes. The trucker, through his attorneys, will certainly admit he didn't understand the sign "RUNAWAY TRUCK RAMP."

His alternative is that he DID understand the sign, (TWICE!!!!) but chose to ride things out on failing brakes and kill 4 people.

 

What is that going to do? The driver facing cam is going to magically stop the accident from happening?

Like some magic shield to prevent anything bad from happening?

 

I didn't need to read the article, I remember it well. I lived and trucked in the area, and as a newbie driver you can bet I gave that 59 exit lots of respect after that nightmare.

These things have been happening since before horse and buggy days, and no amount of rules, or government regulations into our daily lives will ever stop them. Are they preventable, yes, will they all ever be prevented, never, it is what it is.

 

It is nice to know that some folks want more intrusion in our daily lives.

All that would have acomplished is folks getting to check out the wild eyed scared look on the guys face, many would no doubt get a good laugh out of it.

The last thing I would want is folks (family) seeing he last look on my face when I knew my time has come. I don't have any idea what it would look like, but I would like the privacy to keep it to myself. lol

 

I don't drive anymore. Back at my programming job.

In 2005 I hired a private person to teach me to pass the CDL drivers test and use his day cab truck and 40' trailer. The test consisted of the standard cone backing and other stuff. This was at a weigh station. Then a drive up the highway, take first exit then back down the highway then back to the weigh station and I was done.

After that I went out and bought a truck, flatbed and book on how to secure loads. Got my authority right away and started hauling loads in 2006. My first load was 48,000 pounds of steel from Mass to Vernal, UT in the winter!!!

My steering wheel was smooth when I started and after a year it had those finger slots in it. Did it for 10 years then the fun wore off.

 

Mederos made bail.

 

My first thought when I saw that was whether he'll ever be seen under that name again.