LT

Are Truck Drivers The Worst Drivers?

Jun 10, 2014

JA
Stage· 79 messages
Jun 10, 2014

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

JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:00 PM

Good Afternoon, Lizz...
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:01 PM

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

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.
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:02 PM

Hello!
JA

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.
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:03 PM

This tragedy is so unfortunate!
LT

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!
LT

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.
JA

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
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:05 PM

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

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:05 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:05 PM

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

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.
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:06 PM

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

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:06 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:06 PM

And those people would not have died.
JA

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...
LT

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.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:07 PM

Tandem trucks are dangerous with a fresh and clear driver.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:07 PM

You speak the truth, Lizz
LT

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!!
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:08 PM

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

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.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:09 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:09 PM

Is tandem hauling legal?
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:09 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:09 PM

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

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:09 PM

Trains
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:10 PM

Good point. MorenOr less expensive?
JA

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
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:10 PM

So why aren't companies doing that?
JA

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
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:11 PM

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

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:11 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:11 PM

Not a big fan
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:11 PM

I"ve boycotted Wal-Mart for years.
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:12 PM

I try to as well.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:12 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:12 PM

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

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:12 PM

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

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
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:13 PM

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

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:14 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:14 PM

Exacty
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:14 PM

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

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?
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:16 PM

Afraid of not getting paid probably.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:16 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:16 PM

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

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:16 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:16 PM

Construction, etc
JA

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
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:17 PM

But then, driving was their business...
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:17 PM

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

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
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:18 PM

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

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:19 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:19 PM

Happens every single day. Very sickening.
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:19 PM

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

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??
JA

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
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:21 PM

I agree
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:21 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:21 PM

Yep. Everyone wants that free money!
JA

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
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:23 PM

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

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.
JA

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
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:23 PM

he or she I meant
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:24 PM

If cars can stop themselves, why not semi trucks?
JA

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!!
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:25 PM

Must!
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:25 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:25 PM

Lovely chatting with you, as always
JA

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
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:26 PM

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

Lizz Taylor · 7:26 PM

Bless them of course. All drivers
JA

Jennifer "JD" Arbuckle · 7:26 PM

Have a great afternoon Lizz....
LT

Lizz Taylor · 7:27 PM

You too