Big rig killed our son; drive safely on busiest traffic day

maybe the headline should read "professional driver suffers scratched bumper after inexperienced youth makes unsafe lane change."

it was always my tendency to slow down a bit in a situation like this (one lane stopped, the other flowing nicely,) just in case some pants on fire driver jumped out in front of me. but slowing down could create just as many potentials for a rear ender. the education and requirements to drive a motor vehicle are waaaaaay to lacking in this country.

 

I pm'ed Cyber and thanked her for making me aware of it . I posted a message on a message on a message board widely read in Atlanta exposing Steve Owing's ignorance and ATA's hypocrisy . I've been battling this since the beginning . ATA is using this accident to help them mandate speed limiters to slow competitors trucks so their drivers won't quit when they get experience . But does ATA really respect the goal of Road Safe America ? The truck involved with the accident that killed Cullum Owings had the cruise control set at 8 m.p.h. over the speed limit . How many U.S. Xpress trucks do you see going 10 m.p.h. over the speed limit in Ohio ?
And yes , we should be aware of it but now that we are who is going to do anything about it and what are they going to do ? Owings gets a lot of media attention - everything from local tv to articles in many magazines . My local tv station is an ABC affiliate . A couple of months ago ABC sent them a video clip of Owings pushing speed limiters . I fired off an e-mail to the station saying why speed limiters were a bad idea . The next day they met me at a local fuel stop and aired my opinion on the next local news show . They als posted this link on their website . http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/8286.htm . So you know speed limiter supporters are pleading for help from Obama . I doubt they get any support . Many Democratic Representatives are wise to the attempted manipulations of ATA and oppose them . Somehow a major media source has to be found to post the real truth regarding ATA 's motives for pushing for speed limiters .

 

You mean those same HOS that require I drive 8 hours before I'm allowed to split my break, even though I might be tired after being up all day but still "In Sleeper" prior to getting loaded? The same HOS that keep me from driving five hours, taking a five hour nap, and still getting to my drop within 15 hours instead of 20, unless I want to endanger everyone in my path by driving straight through in 10?

THOSE "new and improved Hours of Service"?

 

YuP!

No longer are we allowed to waste time in the middle of a run
by taking a refreshing nap.

How did we ever manage to git 'er done before those improvements?

 

I'd suggest you find another line of work but can't think of any employers that allow naps in the middle of an 8 hour shift . Even union members don't get that . FMCSR prohibit driving when fatigued , regardless of available hours . HOS does not "require " driving any amount of time . The responsibility is all on you . You are the one that will go to prison if you kill somebody . Get your priorities straight . Safety takes a priority over "on time" deliveries .

 

I suggest that comparing the average 8 hours a day, sleep at home job, to over-the-road truckin' --- is like apples and oranges.

As far as safety goes, how unsafe is it when a desk driver falls asleep?

 

As an OTR driver, yes, the responsibility is on me to be safe. However, I also have a responsibility to my customer and employer to get the load to its destination ON TIME.

I only get paid when I'm moving. I don't like to drive tired. My load needs to be there at a certain time. FMCSA HOS doesn't allow for common sense rest breaks. FMCSA is anti-driver and anti-safety when it comes to HOS.

 

You're right . Many 8 hour a day , sleep at home jobs are much more physically demanding than spending 8 hours at the wheel of an air ride truck with p/s , a/c , cruise control , a seat as comfy as a Lazy Boy , and almost as quiet as a Cadillac .
I've run dozers and scrapers 10 -12 hours a day 6 days a week with the only break being a 1/2 hour lunch break . No a/c in southern summer heat , no air ride . Whiners get no sympathy from me . Don't take a job you can't handle then expect the rules to be changed to accommodate your weaknesses .