This is why Trainees should be supervised, not run as a team!

5 mph isn't basically stopped. Physics.

"fairly flat or slightly downgrade"

It's not like the truck was hidden by hill.

Other articles quote the officer and another witness as stating that the slow truck had it's four ways on.

Change a few variables and how many opinions will change under similar circumstances?

Veteran Driver. Mechanical issue. No shoulder

It's simply an unfortunate tragedy.

 

It's easy for us, as trucking professionals, to sit behind our computers and assign blame without knowing all the facts.
The FCC driver had the responsibility to see-and-avoid. He failed. We know that.
The CRST driver had the responsibility to maintain the minimum speed. He failed. We know that.
What we DON'T KNOW is why they failed... and we probably never will know.
The best we can do is try to learn from their failures, and share our knowledge with the community. Help the newbies learn. Keep your head up and your eyes moving. Be quick to improve your own skills, not quick to blame others for their lack of skills.
Be safe out there. Peace out.

 

Very well said, Mr. Simmons.

 

Wow, that's the best response I've heard out of the three threads that i know of about this situation.

Wise man.

 

1) Minimum 3,500 miles. I think it is ridiculous to talk about days of training when our production uses a different unit of measurement.

2) In the 14 days I was on my trainers truck I drove at least 4,000 miles (w/the trainer sitting next to me).

Another trainee in my 'class' did less than 2,000 in the same time for various reasons. Freight gets slow, maintenance and weather issues occur which makes using days a poor measurement for how much learning has/should have occurred.

IMO the big problem is not the companies and the way in which they train. The problem is with the process of getting a CDL. In most states a 16 year old has to undergo more supervised training (both classroom and behind the wheel) to get their initial license than someone intending to become a 'professional' driver. If every driver had to complete a PTDI accredited class before being issued their CDL I think we'd see a lot less bozos going through the revolving door that is entry level trucking.

If you can't:
-double clutch
-downshift
-make normal turns without hitting the curb (both left and right)
-sight side back into an average size spot
-don't know what GOAL means
-can't tell your air conditioner from your air compressor
-know how to check (and add to) your oil level
you have no business holding a CDL.

 

How long should someone be a) driving and b) driving for Gidgit Trucking before becoming a trainer for Gidgit Trucking before they would make a good trainer are two questions whose answer is "it depends".

Coming from the education field I know the expression 'those who can do, those who can't teach' cuts both ways. Many people that are experts in their chosen profession are completely unable to teach another to do it. Just because you've been driving since the Hoover Administration with no accidents and 100% on time delivery does not mean you are qualified to be a trainer. A trainer needs to be able to communicate to the trainee and answer questions that the trainee has but doesn't know he has in such a way that the trainee understands the answer. Someone who has been driving for 10 years may not remember all of the questions they had as a new driver or the hurdles they faced learning how to back (or buttonhook, etc).

A trainer also needs to understand company policies; procedures and technology inside and out. 6 months with a company probably isn't enough but a year should be. Another thing to consider is why does a driver want to become a trainer? If the primary motivation is the money than they're probably going to be a lousy trainer.

I think with the right temperament and proper training a driver with 2 years experience and a pretty clean service record can make a great trainer. Some people may need more time behind the wheel before they're ready to be a trainer.

And some should not be allowed within 100 feet of any new driver.

 

I think my biggest fear is not getting a good trainer. But don't most companies have a driver service department to call if you do not feel as though you are getting adequate trainer? (Know its off topic)

However, this accident was tragic. And as stated before, we will never know the reason as to why this happened. Unless you were behind the wheel in the FCC/CRST truck, it will not be known.