An Apology To The Trucking Community.

So what, drinking and driving is ok but driving stoned isn't? Your more likely to kill someone driving drunk than driving stoned. Either way, he made the decision to get behind the wheel. He knew the consequences and he put other peoples lies at risk. No one that does that ever deserves the benefit of the dought. I drink on my home time to, but I never get behind the wheel or drink within 24 hours of driving. IMO driving drunk is the same as firing a gun into a crowd and luckily not hitting anyone. And you feel sorry for him? He should be in jail.

 

All that matters is no one got hurt. I've seen sober drivers that deserved to lose their licenses too. Hopefully you can find yourself another line of work.

 

Never said I feel sorry for him, he will be paying for this for a long time, and rightfully so, even if he gets his CDL back in a year, it still unlike with the recent charge, and all the new regulations, he might find it hard to find a driving job, unless its driving a yarddog that doesn't leave the property, so yes I see a difference between drugs and alcohol, and yes I have no forgiveness for druggies, I don't care if its "just pot"

 

I don't even drink, but there's a lesson for everyone here...Don't apologize for anything on TTR.

 

I normally wouldn't comment on something like this, but I think there are some people on here that are missing the bigger picture, and as Smith says, "YOU GOTTA GET THE BIGGER PICTURE!"

So, this guy gets a reckless driving while under the influence. He's ordered to enter a program. That program probably has counseling in it. It might even have 12 steps.

Part of any 12 step program is standing up in front of a crowd of your peers and admitting what you have done wrong. It's an actual listed step.

You guys are taking someone to task for doing something that is probably part of their program, something they are supposed to do to get better, and you are probably taking him to task probably because you don't know any better. I dunno. I could be wrong. I have never been in a 12 step program either, but I have seen plenty of movies that list the 12 steps. Lance Armstrong had to on TV. Actually, the best was Tony Mandarich on ESPN. Lyle Alzado did it on TV too. The movie Clueless had one. The TV show Breaking Bad had most of a season in one.

To you guys, go broaden your horizons a little. You can take him to task, because actually, this is the internet, and you can be anyone you want to be, and many people seem to want to be A-holes. But he's doing what he is supposed to do. He has stood up and admitted his wrongdoing. And that takes a certain amount of courage. And no, that doesn't mean hiding from what he did, to the person who suggested that. That means facing it.

To you, the OP, part of what these guys are saying is - well, you are standing up and admitting it, but there are other steps. Like, you have to have a plan so that you do not do this again. That's the point of this. If it happens again, you are back to the beginning. Having a plan to deal with this situation is essential, and more important, it could mean other people's lives. Happens every day, man. We all know it. Keep a Gameboy in your glove compartment and a couple pornos. Treat your body like an amusement park for a couple hours in the privacy of your own car until you aren't drunk anymore. Hey, you can always go for a walk. It's freaking San Diego, not Minneapolis!
The important part here is - you are not here, doing this, because of an improper lane change. You said that, but that is not true. The improper lane change is not the issue. You drinking and then getting behind the wheel of a car is the issue. To me, you drinking is the issue.

You know there are people who have been through this before you. They are a good resource, man. Good luck. Here's to hoping you move on to something much more addictive - cafe cubano, the best coffee ever made by God and picked by man (clink).

 

I can't help but wonder what the attitude of some of you saying it was just a mistake would be if the OP said he hit and killed somebody.

As a poker player there's a term we use called "results oriented". For example you make a terrible call in a situation and then hit a miracle card on the river and say it was the correct play because you won when in fact over the long term it's a losing play. Those defending the OP are using results oriented thinking only because he didn't kill somebody.

I am happy he apologized and accepted responsibility but I don't have any beef with somebody who wants to put there opinion in about the OP making the wrong play and getting lucky

 

Richter, he made a mistake and is apologizing for it. Looks like he understands he did wrong. You show 2 years being a trucker and he's held a cdl since 1979. You sir need to get a little older in the business before you can sit on your high horse and rain down your judgement.

 

Richter, he made a mistake and is apologizing for it. He's held a cdl since 1979 and you've been a trucker for 2 years. You need to get a few more miles on you before you can pass judgment on somebody like that. BTW, were you in Decatur the other night and wouldn't get over for a broke down truck?

 

That ones funny right there......... makes no difference what so ever on the experience on this one 72express. 2 years or 200 years , Richter looks at this like many others , drinking and getting behind the wheel is not a mistake.....it's a conscious choice made by an adult here..and an adult that should have known better too , for the simple fact that HE HAS held a CDL for so long a period of time....no way you can equate this to a mistake , even though it was in his personal car and only a couple of beers...he still knew better. Glad he see's the error and will have to pay for it , but he knew as well as any of us it was wrong. Drivers , drink all you want on your home time , but always , always , always ...... did I say ALWAYS....have a designated driver along when you make the choice to go out and have a drink...even if it's only a couple of beers...ain't worth the problems it will cause if you do get busted.

 

Im all for second chances if yrs since you did anything.But recently I can't forgive and forget.How do we know it won't happen again.This industry is very unforgiving and I must say im glad it is.If trucking companies were as forgiving as some of you are,just imagine what our hwys would be like and how many innocent lives would be lost..