| Author |
Message |
    
Hornet168ky
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 9:04 pm: | 
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Hey all, I know this is not a place to talk about truck drivers and such, BUT
I am a truck driver as I have said before, and I do haul HazMat loads. Well yesterday at about 4:00 pm. it fianly happened! You say what happened hornet? Well I will tell you what happened. I was on a run , and I was traveling down I-77 southbound headed for Charlotte,NC. with 7004 gallons of ACETONE on roughly 46800 net LBS. I was just south of the I-81 interchange around Austinville,VA. It was snowing something awful, visibility less than 1/4 mile, so I slowed my truck to around 40 to 45 mph speed limit is 65 mph and was listening to the CB very unusual for me to listen to 19, but I was listening because of the bad weather. As I topped the hill before you cross the "the NEW River" Bridge I heard them say break check on the bridge, so I slowed even more to about 35 mph. When I hit the bridge I heard WRECK on the bridge were stopping! So I started breaking it down, at 35 mph my trailer started around like a jack knife, so I released the brakes, and hit them agian, it happened agian, and so on until I got stopped (shew!) What a ride! Well I had my 4 way flasher's on screaming in the mic! We are stopped south bound on the bridge! I was as far over to the right as I could get! Then out of no where it happened, a semi running at least 65 mph I would guess, came out of the snow I could see it all in my mirrior's
coming straight at me, he was in about a halfway jack knife then he straightened it up then began sliding agian towards me and I heard him say Tanker hold on I am going to hit you, and it happened, just before he hit me I remember saying to myself if he hits me sitting still he will KILL both of us! So I crammed mine in gear and just before he hit me I smashed the gas for all it was worth to lesson the blow, it worked! He glanced off the side of my trailer, hit the concrete barrier, and slid to halt into the back of a Chevy 4x4 pulling a trailer (past me by about 10 feet.
My trailer recieved exstensive damage to the wheels, and both axels were broken, fender completely mashed against the side of the trailer.
But THANK GOD! It did not rupture the tank, no spill what so ever.
His truck recieved exstensive damage everything on the right side, half of the hood,fender, front axel completly torn away from the truck, window glass, whole side of his trailer, 100 or so galons of diesel fuel, it was a mess.
(28) vehicles involved, and I was the last one, what makes me mad is I did everything that I was suppose to do, did not even hit the concrete wall, and I still destroyed a $65,000.00 dollar piece of equiptment.
This joker didn't get cited for anything. He said he was only going 35 mph but he hit me and 2 fourwheelers and a pickup plus the concrete wall before he got stopped.
The hiway patrol said him hitting me saved alot of lives because it threw him into the wall, I told the Hiway patrol that GOD had to be watchin over everybody because if my tank would have exploded there would not be a bridge to talk over or anybody to talk about it.
By the way I am ok just shook up a bit, I have asked for a couple of days off to gather myself.
Take care and please be careful out on our hiways
Hornet |
Dan
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 9:59 pm: |
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Hornet168ky,
Glad to hear you are OK. That is exactly what I hate about driving in snow and ice. You can be as careful as possible, and do everything right, but your fate is in the hands of every other driver on the road.
Dan |
Creator
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 10:11 pm: |
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Wow! What a story, I'm glad your here to tell it.. Just read the Good Book last night, and this passage comes to mind.. "His mercy endures forever"..
Take care.
Rob |
Tech181
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 11:05 pm: |
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You were in God's pocket bud. How's your shorts? |
Cactusjack
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 11:22 pm: |
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MAN what an exciting day. I am real glad to hear you are alright Hornet. Enjoy your time off.
73's
Lyn |
Crafter
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2004 - 11:54 pm: |
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Man what a day that will be! Just think not only lives saved but haz waste, in water thats another story now days with lawyers!
Some may remember me TERROR ON I10 in houston me and driver road on over the bride hanging by rear trailer reefer tank. I met jesus that day and never got back in a truck! Newspaper had a photo of truck dangling above a city police car on the street below. |
Hornet168ky
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 8:47 am: |
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Thanks everyone, I have relized one thing from this expierience, and that is that my family is way more important than any load that I will ever haul.
I never liked to drive in the snow and ice before now it is even worse I think. I have let my company know that from now when I come upon a snow storm like that again, that the first place I can get pulled into I am gonna pull it over, until the roads are in good shape.
As for the shorts, I carry plenty of extra cloths with me.(LOL)
Good Luck everybody, drive safely!
hornet |
Ozzie
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 9:15 am: |
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Glad to hear you still hear. Yep you done right -lessed the impact and many people owe you for saving their lives.
I am proud to know one of the quick thinking truck drivers out there. |
mikefromms
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 11:26 am: |
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Glad to hear you are ok and that you were on channel 19 that day! God used you and your cb to save lives.
mikefromms |
Rob5mike
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 12:09 pm: |
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I am a driver too! Its good to know that there are some real drivers out there insted of a bunch of steering wheel holders and its even better to hear you putting the praise where it belongs.
Keep the shinnie side up and the dirty side down Hornet.
Mike |
Tech808
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 12:58 pm: |
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Hornet,
The 1st Sargant (Shirley) and I are very glad to hear you are ok.
We have put well over a Million Miles on the Road with No Accident's.
My thought's are if you have any fear's about anything when you are hauling 80.000 lbs down the road, find another job as you will never know when any kind of weather condition's can pop up instantly.
I do not want this to sound mean here but now that you have even the slightest Fear / Doubt about anything it will always be in the back of your mind.
And Haz Mat loads are bad anytime and take even more thought and care.
That split second of thought hauling 80.000 lbs can be the difference between saving a life or taking one. Maybe your's.
Take Care & Stay Well, our Friend! 
Lon & 1st Sargant |
Tomcatinva
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 1:17 pm: |
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Wow! All I can say is extreamly fast thinking! My wife used to always ask me why I always look in my rear view mirror when I stop at a light or traffic, and that is the reason. I have avoided a rear ender by looking back and realizing that this person just isn't paying attention and he is not going to be able to stop in time and having to floor it to get out of the way or get hit. Not even close to your experience, Hornet, but any accident is too many for me.
It sticks that there was that much damage (cost wise), but equipment can be replaced, people can't.
Glad you are alright, and able to talk about it!
TomCat CEF217 |
Hornet168ky
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 5:22 pm: |
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Well as I have said earlier I thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers.
One thing thou, Tech 808 I never said I was afraid to drive in the snow, actually what I said was that I never liked it and now even more, but anyways the thought of getting another job has crossed my mind but where I live you cannot make the money that I make and get home like I get home (everyday or every other day) I like my job to well to even think about having to start over again.
I would guess 10 years driving I have logged around 1 million in safe driving, until the other day it was the first accident that I have ever even been close to. I understand completely what you are saying, by no means am I getting upset about what you or anyone says about it.
I don't think there is a driver of any kind of vehicle that can honestly say they enjoy to drive in the snow, and I can gaurentee no one will say they do after a wreck.
I have some pictures of the accident I will be posting on a home page of mine later for everyone to see.
The only fear if any is the other person's on the road, not knowing what to do in that split second.
And that split second decision to move was made on the fact that I remembered excatly what I was hauling and knowing what would have happened if I had been sitting still.
But anyways I appreciate any and all thoughts.
Take care everybody, and may tommorow be better than today.
Hornet |
Sk1
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 5:57 pm: |
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Mikefromms I agree with you Hornet was used by God to save lives others and his. Creator His mercy endures forever! that brings to mind Psalms 136. Hornet I'm glad to hear that you are alright I will rember you in my prayers, and all drivers out there on the road. God bless you all. |
Hornet168ky
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 - 8:53 pm: |
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Here is a link I think it will work. http://www.geocities.com/marriedforlove2000/photopageflag.html
This is a link to a couple of photo's of the accident check them out!
I will add more later!
God Bless
Hornet
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Hornet168ky
Member
Username: Hornet168ky
Post Number: 70
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 10:33 pm: |
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Just an update, we have sent my truck back to the dealer to have it checked over for damage, that might have occured in the accident, and I am doing great returned to work the yesterday, just mainly doing short runs for now until I get my truck back.
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, Have a good night,day, and week to come.
Hornet |
Hornet168ky
Member
Username: Hornet168ky
Post Number: 72
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 6:52 pm: |
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Well, I think this might be some kind of ohmen.
Almost to the excat time and to the exact day of the week, we have had another truck at my company have a wreck!
This was strictly driver fault though.
On interstate I-79 northbound in West Virginia about 28 miles north of Charleston,WV., he lost control of his rig (loaded with Maleic Anhydride) overturned, he said he went off the left side of the road and could not get the truck to come back.
When it did come back on the road it was too much.
Truck flopped over and slid to a hault, driver made it out ok ( with just bumps and bruises)
Interstate north and south bound side was shut down from about 1:00 p.m. 02/22/04 till well as of right now it is still shut down on the northbound side! Southbound was suppose to reopen this evening.
What a mess, but the tank was intac until a wrecker company tried to lift it so it could be off loaded and the tank ruptured, leaking about 5000 LBS. (roughly 500 gal.) onto the ground.
But the best thing about Maleic Anhydride is....... is when it is liquid form and it is exposed to the elements it freezes! and will not hurt you.
But in it's liquid form look out! It is not a toxic but it can be leathel if inhaled!
But all is good other than that.
I have told my company that this has to be an ohmen ( DON'T LOAD US OUT ON SUNDAY)
I think that somebody is trying to tell us something!
All of you have a good one!
Hornet |
Mr_rf
Intermediate Member
Username: Mr_rf
Post Number: 254
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 9:52 pm: |
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Hornet, Sounds like ur hauling out of St. Albans, WV from RP or Union Carbide. I used to work up there in that area and didn't care much for working around the chemical processes, much less living nearby!
Question...since I see most any and all hazmat haulers moving day/night in all types of weather conditions I assume that there isn't any restrictions on hauling such material during hazardous conditions such as weather.
Why not restrict haz-mat ransportation during hazardous conditions? |
Hornet168ky
Member
Username: Hornet168ky
Post Number: 75
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 2:23 pm: |
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Mr_rf, No sorry I haul out of Ashland Chemicals in Neal,Wv. and also Sunoco Chemicals out of Haverhill,Oh.
No there are not any restrictions to hauling haz-mat loads except for tunnels,towns,schools zones, shopping centers, things of this nature. But as to hazardous conditions, this is strictly left up to the driver.
Our company 99.9% of our loads are loaded and hauled of the nights, and the reasoning is for some sort of safety mainly because there is less traffic at night, and also it is because there are alot less (eyeballs) on you, meaning like terroist and things.
Sorry I did not answer sooner I just got back, I have been gone since Wed. I went to Sheboygan,WI. then jumped over to Detroit,MI. to wash the tank and went to Corunna,Ontario Canada to pick up a load and bring back to WV. Delivered this morning and I am enjoying my weekend off.
Have a good one!
Hornet |
Barracuda
Intermediate Member
Username: Barracuda
Post Number: 202
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 10:46 pm: |
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Hey Hornet,
I was watching the history channel tonight and saw a show on hazardous cargo. They described a tracking system made by Qualcomm that is used to track vehicles carrying hazmat cargo. Just out of curiosity, do you know about these units and what they do?
Just curious. It sounds like a very interesting technology that I was not really aware of. BTW, how long have these units been around?
Thanks,
Barracuda |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 1750
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 11:10 pm: |
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Barracuda,
Qualcom has been around for quite a while. It is the little devil sitting on your shoulder all of the time if you drive a truck with it.
Roehl, Schenider, Werner, and many other Major & other Companies use it.
They can tell Exactly how fast you are going.
If you are Speeding, If you are parked, If your trailer is Loaded or Unloaded.
If a trailer is sitting at a dock, if the Trailer is Loaded or Empty or if trailer is stolen they can track it or your tractor if stolen.
It is the Driver's worst ENEMY.
Oh and if you run out of Driving Hour's or if it is Stolen it can also allow the Company to SHUT YOUR TRUCK DOWN INSTANTLY.
I always wondered what would happen if a dispatcher was going to quit and flipped the switch to Kill ever driver's truck on them driving down the road before he left.
Kinda like MACHINE's taking Control of you Life and allowing someone several hundred or thousand miles away controlling every move you make.
NO THANK's.
Lon
Tech808 |
Moderator558
Moderator
Username: Moderator558
Post Number: 185
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 9:51 am: |
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JUST MY THOUGHTS,
Hornet as we REALLY appreciate your story and are very thankful you are ok please take this next comment with no harm meant at all.
As i am a current safety officer at a large international trucking company,,, I recommend you take the pictures off your web page and not comment any further on yours or any other accidents that occur as this stuff is all admissible in a court and could give the wrong attorney ammo for the case. Maybe you werent at fault but attorneys like to spread liabilty so their client does not have to pay out as much,,,, take it for what its worth I'm just giving you my feelings |
Hornet168ky
Member
Username: Hornet168ky
Post Number: 82
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 8:28 pm: |
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Barracuda, yes we have quailcom computers in all our trucks, it is very vital to our operation, it is also used now for our 2 major chemical companies that we haul for to track there own load.
I am not to worried about what my company can see me doing or not see me doing, as my truck will only run 65 mph.
Besides that there are ways to get around the "spys" Aluminum foil does wonders.
But to answer, your question yes we have and use our quail com computers to track every load, with the stuff we haul it pays to have someone watching them go up and down the hiway.
The only thing I do not like about them is that everyone at my company (entire) company can see what I type to my dispatcher or my terminal manager.
So thank GOD for cell phones (LOL)
No seriously ours are not capable of shutting the trucks down but now I have worked for companies before that could.
But the one thing I like about it is......is they can search and tell with in a couple of feet as to where my truck is sitting (in case of an emergency)
Our quail coms automaticly send a signal every hour and tells whoever is looking at it where I was at the top of the hour.
But they can get into their computer and look it up at any given time and tell excactly where I am if they want to.
Even companies that don't have them can still somewhat track there drivers.
Everytime you use a company owned fuel card to get fuel or oil or anything with it.......it is recorded time date and location.
I think all companies should use them.
But it does get expensive to use, they charge you so much a word to use them.
Moderator558: Thanks for the advice but I have already been thinking of taking them off there, they were put on there out of anger, I wanted to show people how (ignorant) some drivers are out there especially for one that said he had just gotten a million mile safe driving award, I mean an accident is an accident but as the pictures showed it was a very bad SNOW storm and with someone that has had a million miles of so called safe driving to drive like that is just plain old LUCK!
and before you say it I already know, with all the vehicles out on the road today it is just plain old luck if you survive 100 miles let alone 1 million miles.
Since you are a safety officer then let me ask you a question, you can answer if you want to or not.
I have been contacted 2 times by the other companies insurance company wanting to talk to me about the accident, should I talk to them or not?
My company has given me permission to talk to them, but I refused both times because I do not want to be liable for what I would say to them with out some one else present(meaning someone else from my company) they say I am going about it all wrong, What do you think?
Hornet |
Hornet168ky
Member
Username: Hornet168ky
Post Number: 83
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 8:36 pm: |
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Barracuda, also there is another tracking device that alot of tanker companies are installing now, it is sort of like a quail com I think this might be what you are talking about. But I think the driver has the control over it, I think it can control who drives the vehicle, like to keep trucks loaded with dangorous loads from being stolen, works off some kind of coded system, I read about it in a tanker magazine a while back.
Our company has nothing like that we only have the quail com, which is used for communication and tracking at our company.
Hornet |
Moderator558
Moderator
Username: Moderator558
Post Number: 186
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 10:25 pm: |
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our company will only allow our driver to speak with our insurance company or their insurance company IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR COMPANY LEGAL TEAM and or our Risk Department |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1735
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 5:50 am: |
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To keep nose bleeds to a minimum? |
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