How in the hell did this get ruled preventable?

Yeah, it is a preventable. I got one in Philly this week. Safety has not ruled it yet, but it is what it is. I went to the cons. They told me go ahead to the back turn around and come back out and put your trailer in the painted lines. I get back there, look at the situation and set up for it. There is a stack of tubing to my left and right. I do not look real close because I will be 6 foot away from it. I put on my 4 ways and start backing. Just as I am about to the turn around point some fool can't wait 5 more seconds. He has to shoot behind me and try to back up and turn around beside me at the same time. I look in the mirror. He is going to make contact with my trailer. I stop. I think if we are both backing I will get tagged with this as well from safety. I pull up and have to pull over a couple feet closer to the bundles than I originally did to get out of this goof balls way that is in such a big hurry.

I let him make his turn around then I continue back. I look at the bundles. I still have room. What I don't see is one of the 2 in pipes in this bundle is bent out from a fork truck. It is bent back about 2 foot. I hear it and think what the heck? It punched a small hole in the fiberglass section on the bottom right side of my bumper. Man it ticked me off. Just because some fool had to jump in and try to get ahead of me. The problem is I am the one that made contact. If you take away the element of the fool it would have never happened. Problem is I repositioned my truck and got in a danger zone. Getting out and looking would have revealed the danger. That is why it is on me. Point is if some jerk shoots around you and distracts you; it is still your job to make sure all is clear.

In your situation the U turn is what hung you.

 

It is sad to say, there is very little patience out there. It has become all about me.

 

I never thought about puttin on the hand brake to avoid the roll back in that situation. An old dog learned a new trick

 

Glad I could help "Johnn". I don't have to tell you that somtimes we get into situations where we need all the tricks we can get to get out of them. Once you try it you'll get used to using it. My dad taught me that trick when I first started driving, he's been drivin for over 40 yrs. Well keep it safe out there Johnn glad I could help.

 

well my trkr friend welcome to the real world of trucking you must keep your trailer in mind at all times,i drove a million, and had a few incidents when i firts started, it happens to the best,just pull those boot straps up, AND BE MORE CAREFULL, have a super good day ken

 

That trick won't work in a swift truck much longer since they're taking out the j-bars.

 

most important thing about backing up if you cannot see completely, get out and look around, and don,t forget if the tandems on trailer are slid all the way foward the back end swings wide and could hit something. and as always you the driver most likley will be blamed. good luck and please drive on the defense always. woodstock69, and i approve this message

 

i have trucked for 20 plus years please explain the indicator dot to me maybe i have missed something out there, just curious ken