Trucking Accidents

When you are a motorcycle rider, you know and understand that *most* accidents can and should be preventable. For example, you always pay attention to traffic around you, as well as scanning the area far ahead in front of you, to detect possible problems with someone pulling out of a parking lot, or someone who seems like they're not slowing down quickly enough and might go straight through an incoming stop sign/red light, etc.

Do you feel that trucking accidents should be preventable, almost all the time? Keep your speed in check, slow down in advance, scan your horizon, always check who's behind/on the sides of your truck, etc. ?

Some accidents cannot be avoided, I know that for a fact. Twice I've been involved in bad car crashes due to the other drivers. Both times, I was at a complete stop at a red light. One accident, the woman came over a hill behind me, wasn't paying attention and was going too fast to stop when she saw me. She rear ended me quite hard on a bridge. The other time, I was first in line at a red light, waiting for my green light. A big rig was making his left turn in front of me, and a speeding maniac was coming opposite way, lost control of her car in the rain when she tried to brake, came from behind the trailer doing 360's circles and hit me full front, completely destroying my car and sendin me to the hospital. She was going over 80 in a 30 miles/h zone.

Going 80 in a 30?! What a tart.

Riding a bike has given me fresh set of eyes. You can almost anticipate what other drivers are going to do, it's like a sixth sense. I wish I could comment about trucking, but I'm still very green in this field, that is why I want to give trucking a go, just to see if some other senses get sharpened.

I guess you ride?

I ride! I have a 2015 HD Fatbob with a stage 1 kit and more to come! Sorry I am proud. Schneider taught me that almost all accidents are preventable!

Going 80 in a 30?! What a tart.

Riding a bike has given me fresh set of eyes. You can almost anticipate what other drivers are going to do, it's like a sixth sense. I wish I could comment about trucking, but I'm still very green in this field, that is why I want to give trucking a go, just to see if some other senses get sharpened.

I guess you ride?

Used to ride country back roads and raced also. I had a bad crash at the race track, and my daughters were nervous each time I was swinging a leg over to go for rides afterwards. I sold my baby. I do love to ride and miss my bike very much. Started on a Kawasaki ninja 250, went up to a 500 (street and track) and also rode a ninja ZX-10.

Rebellious Vamp asked:

Do you feel that trucking accidents should be preventable, almost all the time? Keep your speed in check, slow down in advance, scan your horizon, always check who's behind/on the sides of your truck, etc. ?

Yes. Everything you mention will reduce the risk of an accident and help you anticipate events that could potentially cause an accident. Also included in the list of things to-do: maintain and manage a safe following distance, adjusting this and speed based on all road, traffic, and weather conditions including your own level of attentiveness. I am more likely to make a mistake after my 10th hour of on-duty time, thus requiring an increased level of focus.

"Used to ride country back roads and raced also. I had a bad crash at the race track, and my daughters were nervous each time I was swinging a leg over to go for rides afterwards. I sold my baby. I do love to ride and miss my bike very much. Started on a Kawasaki ninja 250, went up to a 500 (street and track) and also rode a ninja ZX-10."

Yeah, Ninjas are sweet, especially those litre bikes, they're monsters! I've been riding Suzuki's myself. On a GSX-R 600 at the moment, I really don't need more than that. I've been to a few track sessions, and boy did I learn a lot!

All this talk about bikes makes me wanna go for a ride :)

G-Town (thanks for re-focusing from the biker madness*.) has it down. Nearly every accident you would be involved in is preventable if you continue to use safe driving practices all the time.

It would be preventable because you see what's happening and can take your own action to avoid getting involved.

I take it you don't ride Errol V.?

P.S. Three people commented about biking (including me) ... is that already madness? But since this IS a trucker's forum, I'll zip it and learn from the pros.

P.S.S. This is a really great website by the way, the professionalism and good natured exchanges are a refreshing departure from the usual fare elsewhere.

Drive safe everyone!

Honda Magna 750 (1995). Bought it in 2007. Great cruiser!

2005 Road King is what I'm riding now, bought new, but had a few before that. When I started, I remember my motorcycle instructor telling us that a motorcycle was no more dangerous than a car. It was entirely dependent on the rider. If you generally make bad judgement decisions, it would carry over into your riding, and you're bound to end up with the rubber side up.

When I was being taught the Smith system, the philosophy was that all accidents are preventable, but that's a tough line to walk, eh?

As a motorcyclist in a cell phone world, all I can say is when on the road, trust no one- assume every driver is not paying attention and protect yourself accordingly....