Lizz Taylor

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Are Truck Drivers The Worst Drivers?

Jun 10, 2014·14 visitors

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle

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Stage· 79 messages

Jun 10, 2014

Join us as we discuss the dangers of truck driving and how bad their accidents can be.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:00 PM

Good Afternoon, Lizz...

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:01 PM

This afternoon we're going to discuss highway safety and cross road truckers...

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:02 PM

Recently, 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan was severely injured in a multiple vehicle accident that killed several people and put the star in the hospital with multiple broken bones.

Lizz Taylor · 7:02 PM

Hello!

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:03 PM

It has been discovered that the Wal-Mart truck driver who allegedly caused the multiple vehicle accident hadn't slept for over 24 hours.

Lizz Taylor · 7:03 PM

This tragedy is so unfortunate!

Lizz Taylor · 7:03 PM

Unfortunately you do not hear about these stories that happen everyday bc a celebrity was not involved. Let's hope Tracy Morgan makes a speedy recovery!

Lizz Taylor · 7:04 PM

That info was released after walmart issued a statement saying he was in compliance with the hours they should sleep VS drive ratio.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:04 PM

The accident spark all sorts of conversation about highway safety when it comes to semi-trucks and especially tandum trucks

Lizz Taylor · 7:05 PM

From my personal experience, truck drivers can be pretty dangerous on the roads!

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:05 PM

A long haul driver...semi or not...can only drive for 10 hours then must take 8 off.

Lizz Taylor · 7:05 PM

Just bc they drive for a living doesn't make them good at it...

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:05 PM

The logs filed by the driver himself were in conflict with his location and the time of day of the accident.

Lizz Taylor · 7:06 PM

I'm sure he broke the rules on a regular basis. This is just what they do.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:06 PM

Had he taken the 8 hours required for rest, he would have been hundreds of miles away.

Lizz Taylor · 7:06 PM

And those people would not have died.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:07 PM

This brings up far more than just the required rest per day...think about trucks with three loads behind them...

Lizz Taylor · 7:07 PM

It's sad really. People always break the rules, but it isn't until people die that something is done about it.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:07 PM

Tandem trucks are dangerous with a fresh and clear driver.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:07 PM

You speak the truth, Lizz

Lizz Taylor · 7:08 PM

Oh yes. Those semi trucks are so big. And it appalls me when I see them tailgating! No way they could stop in time!!

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:08 PM

A semi truck with a single load is bad enough, tandem is reckless and dangerous to other drivers

Lizz Taylor · 7:08 PM

I make a point to travel at night when there is less traffic. People get ate up with the fool as soon as they climb behind the wheel of a car.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:09 PM

Yet at night, you may well find more semi-trucks on the road than cars...

Lizz Taylor · 7:09 PM

Is tandem hauling legal?

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:09 PM

Yes, it is...up to 3 full trailers!!!

Lizz Taylor · 7:09 PM

Wow. That's crazy! What is a viable solution here??

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:09 PM

Trains

Lizz Taylor · 7:10 PM

Good point. MorenOr less expensive?

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:10 PM

A company can load train car after train car with semi trailers and get them where they need to go far more safelyu

Lizz Taylor · 7:10 PM

So why aren't companies doing that?

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:11 PM

That's the deal, it's more expensive, therefor companies like Wal-mart have their driver hauling multiple trailers and push the beyond the point of safety

Lizz Taylor · 7:11 PM

I'm my a big fan of walmart. They care nothing about their employees.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:11 PM

Many companies do, Lizz. Often you will see caustic chemical etc on a train rather than a highway

Lizz Taylor · 7:11 PM

Not a big fan

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:11 PM

I"ve boycotted Wal-Mart for years.

Lizz Taylor · 7:12 PM

I try to as well.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:12 PM

The monster has cost our country many small, cute little towns.

Lizz Taylor · 7:12 PM

That's very true. And their stores are filthy.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:12 PM

They die because their economy is eaten away by the large box stores

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:13 PM

I try very hard to give my business to smaller companies but it's getting harder and harder to do because of the giants swallowing up small biz

Lizz Taylor · 7:13 PM

Exactly. As the consumer we want to find the cheapest price.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:14 PM

That is difficult without becoming a part of the machine that is killing our economy in general

Lizz Taylor · 7:14 PM

Exacty

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:14 PM

I wonder just how hard Wal Mart pushes their truck drivers to hit deadlines...

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:15 PM

I mean, was the fellow driving the truck that injured Tracy Morgan afraid of losing his job if he didn't get where he was going on time?

Lizz Taylor · 7:16 PM

Afraid of not getting paid probably.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:16 PM

There are far too many variables on the road to demand such stringency

Lizz Taylor · 7:16 PM

They have to meet their deadlines or they don't get paid.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:16 PM

A flat, a breakdown, weather...variables that should be considered in addition to general safety on the highway

Lizz Taylor · 7:16 PM

Construction, etc

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:17 PM

My brother was a long haul driver for a moving company and they would fine him if he drove for more than 10 hours at a time

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:17 PM

But then, driving was their business...

Lizz Taylor · 7:17 PM

Well that's a good policy to have. Keeps everyone safe.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:18 PM

Wal-mart is a retail monster who has no regard for its employees. Long haul trucker or greeter at the door

Lizz Taylor · 7:18 PM

That's very true. Sam Walton would roll over in his grave.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:19 PM

I am seriously sickened by this latest and horrible accident that could have easily been avoided.

Lizz Taylor · 7:19 PM

Happens every single day. Very sickening.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:19 PM

but this time...Tracy Morgan was nearly killed...a famous person who is really quite loved.

Lizz Taylor · 7:20 PM

Yep. Now maybe something will be done bc a rich famous person was involved. What about all of the other families who've lost loved ones??

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:20 PM

My resolve is to require that trains be used for long haul or the rules of safety be enforced

Lizz Taylor · 7:21 PM

I agree

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:21 PM

Sadly, there will be law suits. I hate that. A country laden with litigation will soon fall...

Lizz Taylor · 7:21 PM

Yep. Everyone wants that free money!

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:22 PM

Just as they do with people who have DUI's, there must be a technology that will inhibit a truck from going into gear or something if it's been driven for so many hours

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:23 PM

Why not apply that same technology so that the company is no longer liable...the driver would be.

Lizz Taylor · 7:23 PM

That's good thinking, but that stuff costs money. Money these large companies can afford, but don't want to buy.

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:23 PM

If he or doesn't sleep in the 8 hours that the truck WON"T move...it's on them not the company

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:23 PM

he or she I meant

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:24 PM

If cars can stop themselves, why not semi trucks?

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:25 PM

We'll see what happens with Tracy Morgan and the losses he and his friends have suffered. There must be something done to make our highways safe!!

Lizz Taylor · 7:25 PM

Must!

Lizz Taylor · 7:25 PM

Hopefully he will launch a campaign to try and solve the problem

Lizz Taylor · 7:25 PM

Lovely chatting with you, as always

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:26 PM

Well, I could go on and on...bless the long haul truckers who do follow the rules because many of them are the backbone of our retail economy

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:26 PM

Yep, we'll catch up again soon....this was a GREAT tawk!!

Lizz Taylor · 7:26 PM

Bless them of course. All drivers

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:26 PM

Have a great afternoon Lizz....

Lizz Taylor · 7:27 PM

You too