Stupid truck driver

[TQ60]

This happened behind our work today.

Looks like the driver underestimated his turn and somehow did not notice trailer wonky...

[TQ60]

Looks like they did not like the planter...just missed the fire plug.

The water line survived the planter being rolled off too

Buildings are very long, traveled a bit then came around to exit...almost whacked the building.

[bamaboy473]

..and he is stupid why? He scanned his mirrors for people and vehicles, and maybe didn't see the thing that's colored the same as the building and lot; especially if sun was a factor.

If that concrete thing is what you call a trailer wonky, then maybe the driver has never seen one either, because its new to me. Why have them if it impedes big rigs from making turns in tight areas?

Why are they not painted Yellow or DayGlow? If that is the planter, same question applies.

[TQ60]

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

If that concrete thing is what you call a trailer wonky, then maybe the driver has never seen one either, because its new to me. Why have them if it impedes big rigs from making turns in tight areas?

The white thing is concrete irrigation pipe used as a planter and only at one place so who knows why it is there.

The trailer went wonky after it ran over the planter and skidded along and we would assume the driver would have noticed.

[igave]

That’s one of “those days” that you just hope and pray won’t get worse, that’s for sure.

[Ray,IN]

Actually I'm not surprised considering the required hrs behind the wheel each 24 hrs. It's not as easy as it looks folks. My step-son was a truck driver, he died at age 54 of a heart attack, which, according to the autopsy was due to stress.

[ScoobyDoo]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Actually I'm not surprised considering the required hrs behind the wheel each 24 hrs. It's not as easy as it looks folks. My step-son was a truck driver, he died at age 54 of a heart attack, which, according to the autopsy was due to stress.

Hours per day driving, That's a reefer, how many hours has he spent waiting to load/unload? Paid by the mile, say $0.40. Spend over 3 hours a day at the dock, and you are not only working for free, but you are cutting into the time you can work for money.
Monday morning? Good chance the driver spent yesterdays sleep time with his family, expecting to sleep today, but warehouse or dispatch telling him to move...
Stupid truck driver? I got checked at a scale the first time in 1964, last time was 2012. Owner operator starting in '71. Small fleet, '72 until '93. Sold last rig '12. I think I am somewhat qualified to guess how smart truckdrivers are. In the late '70s they did what the called "De-regulation". Mostly what they de-regulated was who could haul what, and the rates that had to be paid. But starting shortly after they started adding more regulations, and reducing rights. IMHO, anybody that wants to start a career as a truck driver is stupid.

[sho4go]

" But starting shortly after they started adding more regulations, and reducing rights. IMHO, anybody that wants to start a career as a truck driver is stupid." My dad drove until he was 72. Fell off the top of a pallet stacked with produce trying to move stuff that loaders stacked too high to fit thru trailer door (ramp differential) when he was 68. He always had horror stories to tell about the "stupid" things that four wheelers did. But today's drivers are a different animal. So many veteran road warriors have given up the game due to all of the regs and restrictions, companies are "training" new hires in "as little as 4 weeks". The number of available drivers has dropped to the point that legislators, in their infinite wisdom, have suggested that the age limit should be dropped to 18yo. Really? So if you think that driver was stupid, you best buckle up, thanks to the ignorance and arrogance of lawmakers, there are a lot more headed your way.

[engine103]

Stupid? Maybe you just haven't had your turn yet.

[Arch Hoagland]

https://www.youtube.com/user/indianajacktrucker

I've followed Indiana Jack for a few years on YouTube. If you watch his videos you'll soon discover what a tough job it is.

[Theunz]

I'll bet my bottom dollar that the planter was placed there because trucks were having a hard time turning into the too narrow entrance and were running over the grass. Now THATS where the stupidy lies! Architects and landscapers don't have a clue about the accessibility required by large trucks.

[ScoobyDoo]

Originally Posted by sho4go

But today's drivers are a different animal. So many veteran road warriors have given up the game due to all of the regs and restrictions, companies are "training" new hires in "as little as 4 weeks".

And a large percentage of that 4 weeks is spent in the classroom, learning not how to drive, but the regs and company policies.

Originally Posted by Theunz

I'll bet my bottom dollar that the planter was placed there because trucks were having a hard time turning into the too narrow entrance and were running over the grass. Now THATS where the stupidy lies! Architects and landscapers don't have a clue about the accessibility required by large trucks.

What you say my be true. On more than one occasion when doing grade work I have pointed out if the plans where followed there would be issues. OTOH, some RVers think that Rocks should not be used to keep them on pavement. If the driver thinks it is ok to drive on grass you can not pave enough ground to keep them off. If something is there, to be damaged, or cause damage, the yard farmer must fill out a accident report.
Once a landscaper where I stored my truck was short handed. Sent me with a Bobcat and load of dirt to repair the ruts in front of a well known truck company 's terminal. Asked manager to verify what was to be done. Finished the work, loaded the machine, walked inside to get manager to inspect. By the time we got back, ruts from 2 trailers...

[Theunz]

Finished the work, loaded the machine, walked inside to get manager to inspect. By the time we got back, ruts from 2 trailers...

That's my point exactly. If he had spent the money widiening the drive instead of just adding more dirt the problem would be solved once and for all. Part of the problem nation wide however is that semi trailers keep getting longer. When I started driving in the late 70s they were in the process of going from 40' to 42'. By the mid 80s 45' was the norm followed quickly by 48'. Sometime in the early 2000s the transition to 53' occurred and in some places they run 57' trailers. Many of the buildings built before trailers grew so long were perfectly adequate in their day, but now present quite a challenge. And if anyone thinks that they can compare driving their 42' 5th wheel wheel to even a 42' semi trailer, let alone a 53', than they only need to compare how far back the semi trailers wheels are in comparison to their 5er.

[grindstone01]

One has to wonder why that concrete was there and if it was needed, why it wasn't highlighted with warning flags or such. In every situation, people are going to make mistakes, it's a consequence of being human!