A Horrific Scene
If it's true that a picture is worth a thousand words, then maybe this one will perform a good service. I took this photo in Ohio today, on I-64. What you are looking at is the result of two large trucks, a dump truck and a semi, colliding. It looked to me as if the cab of the semi had been separated from the trailer and was on the far side of the rail, hence the plume of smoke on the left. Traffic was diverted through the adjacent rest area. To the left, just out of the photograph, EMTs were working on one of the drivers. On the CB, I heard a driver say, "Hey, that truck is from my company!" He asked if both the drivers had been removed from the burning trucks, and several other drivers responded that they could only see one driver being worked on. The radio grew uncommonly quiet. I finally got stopped for the night just a short while ago, but a quick search on the internet confirms that one driver died in the crash.
I sometimes fear that I sound like a nag while posting occasional safety reminders, but this is important. The lack of attentiveness, if only for a second, can be the difference between life and death. And whatever you do, don't linger around large trucks because if something happens with one of them, your world can come crashing down in an instant.
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Re: A Horrific Scene
I'm so sorry you had to see that, Dave, and so sorry that someone lost their life in this tragic accident. One of my earliest memories is a pretty horrific one involving a cab of a semi exploding into flames. My Dad put himself through seminary by working as a long-haul trucker. When we encountered the crash, and saw the driver slumped over the wheel, my dad and another man ran to get him out. The cab exploded in flames as they ran toward it.
I don't recall what caused the accident, but my Dad always reminded us how to drive around trucks -- particularly when passing. It seems to me that almost no one passes trucks safely these days. I'm amazed there aren't more accidents.
Re: A Horrific Scene
Mollie, those kinds of scenes, as you know, never fade from memory. I've been on the road professionally almost 8 years now. I've seen more in the way of accidents than I will ever write about. As tragic as this loss was, some small comfort can be had from the knowledge that children weren't involved.
As to the second point, I do wish that some sort of emphasis could be made in driver's education about driving around large trucks. Many people really don't understand the peril in which they place themselves and their passengers. A test program was tried in Kentucky a few years ago where a state trooper rode in the passenger seat of a semi to see for himself not only what the truck driver must do, but how surrounding vehicles endanger themselves and everyone else. Another state trooper was in a patrol car to pull over the most egregious motorists and give them an on-the-spot tutorial. Not a bad idea, actually.
Jun '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
Keep nagging, Dave. I learn a lot from your kvetching.
May '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
What a shame. And what an agonizing job it must be to be a trooper -- encountering that carnage routinely. Tough men.
Jul '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
And then there are truck drivers who literally save lives. Years ago, my husband and I were on the New York Thruway traveling over 70 mph in the fast lane when all of a sudden the hood flew up and bent over the roof, thus covering the windshield. We both stayed amazingly calm, given there was no room to pull over to the left and stop. Scott only slowed a bit as there was traffic behind us and I had remembered a clear road ahead before it happened. I opened the window and leaned far out to see if this was still the case when what appeared beside us was a semi with a driver sent from heaven. He motioned to follow him, and snuggled next to us he led us lane by lane to safety at the right side of the road. He waved, we waved, and he was gone. No way to thank him for our and very likely the lives of many others. I’ll just imagine it was you and – Thank You so very much.
Jun '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
I remember hearing a party going on in a public park not far away. It was late afternoon, and you could hear rock music and the crescendos of laughter in the distance. Then, all of a sudden, silence. It wasn't even dark yet. It didn't make any sense. I found out later, the party was a high school graduation party, and the car of one of their friends, an 18-year-old on their way to the party, got t-boned crossing the highway. She didn't make it. I'll never forget that moment. Happy party sounds to...no sound...in two heartbeats.
Oct '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
RE, Dave.. Learned respect for log trucks in the NorthWest long ago piloting a regular car. Drove bob tails and end dumps for a while including Oregon and California. Decided a career change was needed there.
Have to agree that some sights on the road become etched into the the mind and soul. Somethings one would choose to forget if possible, never happens.
When motorcycles and 18 wheelers meet, the sight almost defies comprehension.
Oct '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
"I sometimes fear that I sound like a nag while posting occasional safety reminders, but this is important. The lack of attentiveness, if only for a second, can be the difference between life and death."
Dave,
Please help to instruct drivers that their duty is to be perfectly, 100% attentive to their job. Their job is to bring their passengers, their freight, or just themselves to their destination safely.
When you are traveling at 25 mph you may be able to pick up your dropped cigarette, your spilled coffee, or whatever - for a while. But it will eventually catch you in a moment where you are not paying attention. That's all it takes.
If you multiply the speeds it reduces reaction times, making your job as driver unbelievably more difficult and dangerous.
Please don't ever think that because you are a truck driver your insight is unimportant to those of us who take our responsibliities seriously.
Driving is a full-time job.
Apr '11
Re: A Horrific Scene
One of my greatest pleasures is being a passenger in a car when I know that the driver takes his job as seriously as a pilot during takeoffs and landings.
Unfortunately, I rarely am afforded that pleasure.
I can truly say that I envy my passengers. They chat and admire the scenery.
I drive. Every damn foot of the way. And I don't mean just the foot off my bumper.
Stay safe, Dave.
May '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
Dave, keep informing. I listen to everything you say and remember it every time I'm around a semi. I remember it, because you explain *why*. That story is so sad. A few years ago, we had a terrible accident where a semi ran into a stopped semi in front of him on the Interstate. They discovered a while later that there was a thin pancake of metal between them that used to be in the shape of a mini-van with a woman inside.
Nov '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
You never sound like a nag. Your reminders tickle my brain every time I see a truck while driving...especially these past few rainy days driving to Bloombsburg, PA moving my daughter into her new apartment for her new job...and talking her through the evacuation today when the turnpike and most other roads were closed. Driving is a serious business.
Before you, Dave, I only knew about the "blind spot" on a truck (18 wheels). Now I know so much more. I have grown more affectionate about them, too. I use to hate their bigness and rain-blinding spray.
Now, in the back of my mind, there are men or women driving those things, maybe one like Dave Carter, and they're hauling products going to market, and who knows what else...a unicorn running a craps game, one can hope. But I see them in a new light.
So nag on big fella.
Edited on Sep 8, 2011 at 10:26pmOct '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
If you ever feel the need to have respect for a big rig, try driving a Triumph Spitfire with the top down. Then pull up aside a semi and you will be eye to eye with axles and lugnuts.
The rule of thumb is, tonnage always wins.
If anyone can get that into their minds, they just may avoid the spatula and ziplock bag treatment. Prudence and developing driving skills just might win the day.
Ziplock bags are not for meant for people. And I make no apologies for that.
Seen too much of it.
Edited on Sep 8, 2011 at 10:56pmApr '11
Re: A Horrific Scene
Dave - your link was updated 7:45 this morning with additional info:
"The Ohio Highway Patrol says the driver of the dump truck lost control after the left front tire failed. He then crossed the median into the eastbound lanes and hit the semi head-on. Both vehicles partially went over the guardrail before catching fire."
Gruesome. The safety reminders are still appreciated, I had a previous one from you in the back of my mind during a 7 hr road trip over Labor Day weekend.
Jun '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
Just yesterday I was driving on Rt.21 in Newark, NJ, three lanes each way with frequent stop lights and businesses lining the entire highway & cars ducking in and out of the parking lots. An 18 wheeler was driving in the slow lane, over the speed limit, in the rain, swerving into my lane. This is an old highway with narrow lanes that eventually hugs the Passaic River with its twists and turns. I felt like a prop in his personal Midtown Maddness video game.
It's incredibly frustrating when you encounter a nut like that on the highway. I've called police from my cell phone as dangerous drivers risk the lives of all on the road, only to be transferrred from local PDs in a ridiculous chain of "not my job" apathy.
Car drivers should only have to think for a moment about how much slower their car's brakes react when they have a carload of people. Imagine what an 18 wheeler loaded with freight is facing.
Re: A Horrific Scene
Sean: Dave - your link was updated 7:45 this morning with additional info:
"The Ohio Highway Patrol says the driver of the dump truck lost control after the left front tire failed. He then crossed the median into the eastbound lanes and hit the semi head-on. Both vehicles partially went over the guardrail before catching fire."
... · Sep 9 at 5:57am
Thanks for the update, Sean. An 18 wheeler can maneuver safely when any tire blows EXCEPT the steer (front) tires. Then all bets are off. There are specific things we can do to try and control the situation for a few seconds, but even then it's not a sure thing. Now, imagine that left steer tire of his blowing out with a car driving to his left. The car gets run over as all 80,000 pounds of his truck careens leftward. If you need to pass, folks, by all means, hammer down and pass. But this business of riding along side as if auditioning for the Blue Angles is dangerous.
Re: A Horrific Scene
StickerShock: Just yesterday I was driving on Rt.21 in Newark, NJ, three lanes each way with frequent stop lights and businesses lining the entire highway & cars ducking in and out of the parking lots. An 18 wheeler was driving in the slow lane, over the speed limit, in the rain, swerving into my lane. This is an old highway with narrow lanes that eventually hugs the Passaic River with its twists and turns. I felt like a prop in his personal Midtown Maddness video game.
· Sep 9 at 6:19am
StickerShock, I wish I had some words of wisdom for you that didn't start with the word "relocate." I spent the better part of the last two weeks running around the NYC / NJ area. It's madness, and I suspect the reason the police are apathetic is that it's rampant. I actually threatened to resign last week if they didn't get me out of that region. I didn't mind taking storm relief supplies up there, except that the locals almost ran me and their supplies into a ditch.
Re: A Horrific Scene
A quick rule of thumb, if I may. In most large cities, it seems that the local truck drivers are the absolute worst. They should be given a wide berth. Very wide. An easy way to tell if they are local is if they are driving what we call a "Day Cab." That is, the cab of their truck has no sleeper attached to it. If that's the case, they only drive the thing for a regular shift and then go home, meaning they run that local area. They know the roads like the backs of their hands, and can be very complacent as a result.
Jun '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
52 years here and counting. Hubby & I have talked a bit about relocating when the 15 year old starts college. It's tough, because there is so much to love about this part of NJ. We are keeping open minds, though. Being ten miles west of Manhattan and still close to beaches, mountains, and able to enjoy the change of seasons is hard to give up.
Apr '11
Re: A Horrific Scene
Great post Dave. I've driven cross country three times in a Saab (yeah, yeah, make your "Snaab" jokes) and picked up a few things of trucker etiquette. Mostly though, I find that applying the maritime version of right-of-way works great: If it's bigger than you, stay out of the way.
Dave, maybe you've posted this already, but how about providing a bullet point list of tips you've found that makes it easier for the truckers, and keeps the cars cafe? (things from your perspective that might not be found in a typical driver's ed. manual)
Jun '10
Re: A Horrific Scene
Maybe I'll relocate sooner than planned. Today's 20 mile round trip for a quik drop off of daughter into Manhattan took three hours.......damn Fashion Week!