Anyone noticing more frequent "bad" truck wrecks, lately?

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Evilcapitalist, Jul 2, 2015.

  1. Evilcapitalist

    Evilcapitalist Light Load Member

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    I've been driving 17 years, and about to start my 18th in a few days, and I've never seen the volume of traffic so heavy before. The traffic on an average day is what used to be the traffic on a holiday. Also, you could find parking with a little bit of effort. Now, even the "hiding places" aren't guaranteed.

    When I first started, there were really "bad" truck wrecks, every day, like ones with fatalities or trucks really mangled up. After a lot of the companies governed the speeds of their trucks I noticed that these types of accidents became less frequent. But, now, now with the implementation of EOBRs and the restructuring of the HOS laws, I've noticed that these "bad" truck wrecks are becoming more frequent again.

    Now, I'm the type of man that seeks the truth. I want to know what is really happening. I've stated that traffic is at critical mass, and the truck stops are full, but are these accidents becoming more frequent due to drivers feeling "pushed"?

    I know I feel pushed with these EOBRs. I feel like I can't stop to take a nap, if I'm tired, that I must speed, and I find myself driving more aggressively. I'm not comfortable with this. When I use to cheat with the paper logs, I didn't drive like that. I took my time, and then "made more time," by "readjusting my logs," but I wasn't tired and I didn't drive aggressively.

    I'd like to hear some honest opinions on this issue. I believe that our highways have become deathtraps and frankly, I've never been more scared to be on the road.

    Thanks.
     
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  3. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    I noticed the wild traffic too, but mainly now, it seems most days I never see a cop with someone pulled over. It seems they gave up.

    I like electric logs, but then I don't nap and I sleep on my 10.
     
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  4. poppapump1332

    poppapump1332 Road Train Member

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    You hit it right on the head.
     
  5. Anonymousproxy

    Anonymousproxy Road Train Member

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    Traffic is getting worse, and the bad part is both the trucks and the 4 wheelers seem to display levels of stupidity that make the mid 90's (back when I started) seem tame. The mega-training companies do such a pathetic job of training new drivers that I doubt if any of them know what a map is, or how to trip plan. I heard one guy panicking loudly on the radio about his 14 hour e-log clock running out while sitting in an I95 traffic jam, and I got him to drop 2 channels, and hearing his story told me volumes. His trainers never bothered to show him how to trip-plan or even make use of a trucker's atlas, let alone how the HOS rules worked. That's the big reason there needs to be way tougher standards on training, yet the idiots at FMCSA still haven't figured that out. Not to mention are the numerous "chameleon companies" like up in Chicago that simply change their names and DOT numbers as soon as the DOT get around to closing their doors. Don't even get me started on the texting while driving, cutting other trucks off, bridge hits, and trailer-dropping I've seen lately.
     
  6. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

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    The solution is you drivers with experience become trainers so the new crop of drivers are taught properly.
     
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  7. Tonitos

    Tonitos Light Load Member

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    I thought this too.

    Just dismissed at the media putting truck drivers in a bad light
     
  8. RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    I think a huge part of the driving issues we all face today is due to shortened attention spans. When we older fellas (I'm 46) were growing up, we had 2 or 3 TV channels that we only got to watch at certain times. Not the 500 channels the younger generation has. We didn't have gaming consoles and cell phones. If we wanted to play, we went outside and made do with a stick and a few rocks or rode our bikes. Today's new drivers have had way too many distractions their entire lives and I think it makes it difficult for them to pay attention. Whether in a CDL class, or driving down the road.

    And don't even get me started on the huge decline in common sense. I wonder how some of these follks can walk across a parking lot without tripping on a stripe.
     
  9. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    For the most part people who go work for Megas are broke and desperate. It means that they have made bad decisions in their lives to end up in that situations. Once they start driving they gonna make bad decisions while being on the road.
     
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  10. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    When was the last time you saw any LEO use a turn signal, or headlights on down a 2 lane highway? How often do you see a youngster driving and the same...no turn signals, no yield, just pushing and pushing? The BASICS of driving, courtesy, common sense, and welfare for others is nonexistent and not taught. Now couple this with someone who doesn't know the basics in a 4 wheeler getting into a big rig with no decent background to driving to relate to. Now one more big issue on our highways and roads....European "style" and middle eastern contempt.

    Wonder why the accidents are increasing? You tell me!
     
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  11. Evilcapitalist

    Evilcapitalist Light Load Member

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    I think you mean the guys from Eastern Europe, like Ukraine and Russia? Yeah, those guys are ignorant(that means lack of knowledge, not stupid) and I don't think they have a lot of empathy, but I may be wrong. At least the Latino drivers make a good effort, for the most part, from my observations.
     
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