On my way to work this morning, I got stuck in traffic because of a horrible accident that happened 3 hours earlier. Apparently someone was driving east in the west bound lanes of Route 78 in PA and was heading head on with a truck. From what I read / and was told while sitting in traffic (as my side of the highway was also closed for awhile), The driver of the truck swerved towards the center median to avoid the collision, but the car hit into the passenger side tank of the truck, ripping it off and cutting his car into pieces. The passenger of the car was killed, but the driver of the car survived. I just can't stop thinking about the passenger of the car, I hope that it happened so fast that he/she did not suffer. I also feel for the poor driver of the truck, who was just doing his job, when he probably saw 2 headlights coming straight at him and trying to do his best to avoid the collision. As for the driver of the car, I hope he/she is alright, but I don't feel as much sympathy for him/her. Maybe it's because the accident happend further down from the nearest exit, so it wasn't like it was an opps I just made a horrible mistake. he/She had to be traveling the wrong way for awhile (and they had plently of opportunities to turn into a small service road or cut across the median to get to the right side of the highway (I have seen people cut across when they miss their exit)
While sitting in the stand still traffic, a lot of people were saying "Oh it was probably the truck's fault" or " I bet the driver of the truck was speeding" That is another thing I don't understand, (and if I remember correctly someone on here's DH is a truck driver, so maybe if she sees this she can add some insight) why do people blame the trucks for everything. I will say that yes there are some who think they are driving a Nascar race in their trucks, but I have to say most of the ones that I am on the road with aren't like that. What people may or may not know is some company's have things on their trucks that they can not go over 62-65 mph. I have also witnessed people cut in front of them as if they can stop just as quickly as a car. I wonder if these same people who complain about trucks realize that almost everything you buy is delivered by a truck. When you go to the mall and enjoy the airconditioning, remember someone driving a truck brought that unit there for them to install so you can enjoy it (I used the air conditioner as an example because that is what my dad delivers ) Ok i am done rambling and venting, just please the next time you are all out driving, please be careful Stay Safe

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

First let me say how sad. I hate coming upon accidents and just find myself praying for all involved. Thankfully we don't see too many, even with as much time as we spend on the road.

Yes, truck drivers do get blamed. In most cases, regardless of the circumstances, the truck driver will be held liable, particularly if there is a fatality. In which case the driver's career is most likely over. When a semi is in an accident, the authorities will look at their log books. One mistake, one wrong line drawn, or if the driver has gone over their hours......even in the week previous, they are at fault. Period. It could mean jail even.

That said, I can say from many months of experience now that typically truck drivers are far more skilled than MANY of those who drive cars. I know the car to truck ratio is a bit unfair, but you are right.......a car will pull in front of an 80,000 semi and slow down, or begin to stop. It always astounds me. And sometimes that semi has placards all over it indicating hazardous cargo. It makes zero difference to many.

On the lighter side.......if you are stuck in a traffic jam like that......follow the trucks. They know which lanes are flowing....and yes, they are look at your legs and giving other drivers a heads up if they like what they see...lol

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Melissa

People seem to lose their common sense behind the wheel. I totally feel for truck driver who most likely won't be able to drive again as Melissa pointed out. I'm surprised this doesn't happen more. I see idiots passing illegally & dangerously all the time. And they follow way too close. If you can't see their mirror they can't see you. My husband has a CDL & often drives big trucks & other heavy equipment at work & he tells me some stories that make me cringe.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I will always say that while most of the general public drive very safely, you can never fully trust and must have your eyes and ears opened at all times. I sincerely wish people would drive more safely. I also agree that here on the highway 495 the trucks sometimes take over the road, however there are many truck drivers who totally obey all the rules, the ones who do not make it bad for all others..Peace. Catherine

I was out on 285 (the perimeter) today taking the kids to Six Flags. I absolutely hate driving on it, but no choice. There are tons of tractor trailers on there and I must say most of them drove fine. It was the idiots in the cars who were cutting in and out...driving like they thought they were Nascar racers. ~Lisa

That is exactly what my dad told all of us when we started to drive

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

Four wheelers pretty much feel like they can do whatever they want and the truck drivers should just watch out. You would think there would be some respect for the size and weight, but no. By far the worst offenders are young women. Between texting/talking on their cell phones and a total lack of understanding of what it is they are doing....they are a danger to themselves and those around them.

CaddyLisa........I love the Nascar wannabes..Chicago seems to lead the way in this arena.

ishoptoomuch....too funny that's what your Dad told you!!

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Melissa

Thing I am always watching is the smart cars in the fast lane with a semi behind them. Scares the crap out of me each time. And the semi is right up on the bumper. Wow

While I have witnessed some serious tailgating by semis, what I see more often happen is a truck trying to leave a safe space between him and the cars ahead of him. Then, more often than not, those "smart" cars fill that space, so what exactly is the truck to do? It happens to us ALL the time. Everyone is in a hurry and whatever they are in a hurry for is far more important than anyone else.

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Melissa

People don't realize the trucks have the right of way. Besides all pointed out, they need to make wide turns. I have seen people not wanting to back up to allow the truck to turn. I have seen people do what Melissa described. I have seen them passing trucks in a dangerous manner only to have to rush a few inches in front of it.
I try to stay away from having trucks behind me. If they have to, they are trained to rear end the vehicle in front of them in order to avoid swerving and/or putting more vehicles in danger.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I try to stay far away from Semis. I only pass them on the left and when I do so, I speed up until I'm a safe enough distance to cut back into my lane.

I agree that most Semi Drivers are very courteous, but I recently drove from L.A. to Dallas solo. The thing that got to me (and it happened quite a bit) when I would be coming up on the Semi on the left and hoping to pass, the Semi would pull right out in front of me even though it was traveling much slower than I was and then I would have to wait quite a while until it pulled back in so I could pass.

Keep in mind that the speed limit for Semis is 10 mph slower than passenger cars on much of my route.

And I never heard that Semis have the right-of-way.

No, I don't believe that semis have the right of way. Although in our family the joke has always been "tonage has the right of way"! lol

Passing only on the left is wise.

Funny enough, or not, lol, but DH is a much more aggressive driver in our jeep than he is the semi. He scares me to death in a four wheeler, but the semi doesn't bother me at all.

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Melissa

momrajum, GREAT advice above! One of my dear friends is a truck driver and has told me some stories that are beyond scary that people in cars & trucks have done around him.

Another bit of advice from him is to always keep an eye on the semi's tires to make sure that they are not getting ready to have a blow out or lose part of their tread. That advice helped save us from a wreck this past Christmas because we noticed a trailer tire starting to "wobble" right before it blew and were able to get away from the trucker. Cringing at the thought of one of those tires blowing out & flying into a car beside the truck.

I was always taught they have the right of way. I tried to look it up but
the laws vary from state to state.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Maryann just wanted to say thanks soooo very much for the coupons I will enjoy them and sincerely hope you enjoy your trade. I left feedback for you, thanks again so much. Peace and back to topic... Catherine

I don't think any vehicle has the "right of way" over another vehicle just driving down the road. Except for emergency vehicles of course. The only thing I found in regards to which vehicle has the right of way was in regards to merging, stop signs or turning.

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Melissa

Huh? Trucks have the right of way?
Huh? They are trained to rear end people?

dl

Archie Bunker looks good right now

Just asked DH about the rear ending to avoid other problems and he says that is not true. They are taught to constantly scan traffic for a way out of any situation if one should arise. Rear ending would cause multiple problems. I have been with him when the car ahead of us has braked quickly and if we are going to rear end he has had to go onto the side of the road along side the car. Never has this happened that he's gone much past the rear bumper...

I can tell you......he always knows what everyone around him is doing......it's amazing.

I would really like to think that they are NOT trained to rear end people as well. Here is a link that shows what can happen when a semi rear ends another vehicle:

Report: Trucker hit stopped cars in fatal I-40 wreck :: WRAL.com


The vehicle UNDER the semi was a F-250 truck which is NOT a small vehicle by any means.......

They are trained to rear end people in situations where it would cause more damage and danger than swerving. Think about it; it makes sense. Do you hit the car in front of you or do you swerve to hit four or five cars. Perhaps the way I explained it doesn't sound right but it's the truth.
As for trucks having the right of way think about it: they park in the road they take up alleys that sort of thing.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I, for one, don't understand what parking someplace has to do with having the right of way. They get tickets for illegal parking, including blocking alleys, just like I would should I do that. Should we try and give them space, sure, but I don't think it's their right. That's just common sense, given their size.

I thought this was the cafe, not the feedback forum?

dl

Archie Bunker is off the meds

I don't think it's that trucks *have* the right of way. I think it's that it's a good idea for other vehicles to give them the right of way when they are barreling down the highway with all that weight and speed because they require more space to move around, and distance to stop. It's more a wisdom and smarts thing than a legal thing.

I don't think that has anything to do with parking laws. I'm sure that large metropolitan areas have some rules and regs regarding loading and unloading large trucks in downtown areas. In our smallish town, I think they'd be cited for obstructing traffic if they were parked for a long time in the downtown area if there wasn't some activity going on... but I don't think that would only apply to trucks.

TRUCK DRIVING TEST

When cruising at highway speed plus (because others have to yield to you) suddenly your brakes go out. Do you:

a) be aware of your surroundings and most likely steer to the side of the road
b) down shift
c) call 911
d) hit the car in front of you

good sense? common sense? any sense? obviously very little sense

dl

Archie Bunker is amazed

Wow! I'll have to ask my sister & BIL, and SO's best friend, all OTR/Long haul drivers, about trucks having the right of way, and being taught to rear end a vehicle. I'm thinking they will have a better base knowledge than you or me.

Semis and their drivers have to abide by the same rules of the road as the rest of us.
If a person is stopped at a stop sign lawfully and legally, they are not required to "back up" for a truck who has to make a wide turn. The driver of the truck should be able to maneuver his/her vehicle adequately without encroaching upon another driver's lane. That's part of driving a big rig--being able to maneuver and handle said vehicle!

Geez....

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Marilyn, as far as not encroaching on another vehicles lane, I can attest to the fact that that is not always possible. Some streets that we have to go on just do no accomodate big trucks....but most people are very nice and try to "make way".

I will say again, my DH says that nothing in his training has taught him to rear end another vehicle to avoid other collisions. Obviously as with any other vehicular emergency, the driver is called upon to just do the best they can given any emergency. As far as I'm concerned most truck drivers would be able to make quick decisions faster than most four wheeler drivers. They just have more experience.

you guys are twisting my words around. I'm saying if there is less damage and danger to hitting the vehicle in front of you instead of swerving your big giant truck into the next lane and knocking out a whole line of cars what do think the better option is?

yes that's me Archie Bunker: no sense, a bigot, etc etc. When you don't agree just call names. And be sure to twist the words around. No wonder everyone left for greener pastures.
There's only idiots like me left I guess.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

No one is twisting your words around. You said they are TRAINED. You also said they have the RIGHT OF WAY. I didn't study road rules in all 50 states, but with military moves, I have had licenses in several states. None had laws regarding what you stated. You stated it, no one twisted except you trying to wiggle out of what you posted.

I didn't call you Archie Bunker - at all. I am currently ending all of my posts with an Archie Bunker line, nothing more, nothing less, certainly not about you specifically. I do wonder about your signature line professing sense, though.

dl

(no Archie Bunker line so it's not about adr)

1) didn't twist your words around--I quoted you!
2) what you describe above, is common sense that anyone driving should utilize--if an accident can't be avoided, a vehicle should take the path that is going to cause the least amount of damage
3) As for your last little comments: Passive-Aggressive much? If you go back and look dl has been signing her posts w/ some reference to Archie Bunker for at least a few days if not more. (and since I didn't watch Archie Bunker, I don't "get" the commentary half the time! LoL )

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I didn't think I was twisting your words. You specifically said. "People don't realize the trucks have the right of way," and "I was always taught that trucks have the right of way."

I googled for the definition of "right of way", and found this: The legal right of a pedestrian, rider, or driver to proceed with precedence over other road users at a particular point

I think what we are all saying is that trucks don't have any legal designation over other vehicles that gives them the right of way. It's just wisest to be aware of their size and your distance from them when it's time to slow down, turn, etc.

You also said, "I try to stay away from having trucks behind me. If they have to, they are trained to rear end the vehicle in front of them in order to avoid swerving and/or putting more vehicles in danger."

I assume truck drivers are surely taught what others are taught - in the case of an unavoidable accident, take the path that will lead to the least amount of damage. If a truck can swerve off the road, that's what they'll do. If they can't swerve into the ditch and there is another truck coming towards them in the other lane, and six mini-vans full of children in front of them, my guess is that the driver will swerve into the oncoming truck before rear-ending a van and causing a seven-vehicle pileup.

Regarding the Archie Bunker comment, I made a statement recently that someone's persona here reminded me of Edith Bunker. dl said that they reminded her more of Archie. That's when she began using it as a tagline. Not saying whether that's good or bad or even who it was aimed at - just that that's the history, and anna, it wasn't a conversation that you had been involved in iirc.

I am guessing that you did not take the time to look at the pictures of what can happen when a semi rear ends a vehicle in front of them?? I have been around many truck drivers and none of them have ever told me that they were "trained" to rear end the car in front of them. Cringing at the very thought of a semi rear ending some of the teeny tiny cars on the roads these days! The car would be UNDER the truck and more than likely the driver of the car would be killed.

As I was typing this reply to you, I researched what you were stating and found the following:

CR England Trucking Company Safety Overview Safe Driving Department Safety First

"Safety meetings. Each month more than 80 percent of all C.R. England truck drivers attend safety meetings that teach drivers how to prevent accidents—particularly “critical crashes” such as rollovers, run-unders, and rear-enders. The meetings are conducted by safety managers twice in one day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Mira Loma, CA and Salt Lake City, UT. Drivers who are unable to attend a live meeting can watch the safety presentation via video. "

And scroll down on this page to see what happens to Hanoda that is rear ended by a semi:

How not to Tangle with a Semi Tractor Trailer What You Need to Know

So I will stand by my statement that I doubt seriously that they are taught to hit the car in front of them.

I will repeat........They are not trained to rear end vehicles. Would you all like me to take a poll....I have all day to talk to drivers. JK....

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Melissa

Am I the only one who did not know that? Where is that taught to new drivers? I know I didn't learn it in drivers' ed.