Truck Drivers Share Safety Training Plans After Fatal Crash
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: October 22, 2012
Arkansas State Police are investigating a crash that killed a man whose car stalled in the middle of Highway 67 in Jacksonville. Investigators report a semi-truck, unable to stop in time hit the man.
The news is putting some truck drivers on defense of their safety standards, some, leaving comments on the KARK 4 Facebook page. Some comments from truck drivers or drivers' relatives said they felt the hard work they do to stay safe is often overlooked when there is a tragedy.
"Wow, you see things like that happen, all the time," Dean Newell told KARK Reporter Brittney Johnson as he helped navigate a driving exercise on a training simulator.
This is just one part of the training Newell says Maverick Trucking drivers need before hopping in a real big rig.
"You have to drive for every one else around you," he said, driving a truck.
Maverick's Vice President of Safety, Dean Newell says he spent ten years on the road before crossing over to help drivers focus on safety.
"You see people reading, putting on makeup, talking on cell phones," said Newell.
But that's not enough.
"Regretfully we as an industry are involved in accidents killing more than 5000 people a year," said Lane Kidd, President of the Arkansas Trucking Association.
Kidd says while safety is a major priority, they still see a high number of accidents.
"Even I have been on the interstate and had the occasional tractor trailer blow by me going way too fast or in my opinion being way too close on my bumper, that being said, the best drivers on our nation's highways are truck drivers," he said.
To help drivers, companies like Maverick are investing in more technology, like collision mitigation system.
"He's a 150 feet in front of me and running 65 miles an hour," Newell added, pointing out features in the truck.
It even slows itself down if it gets too close to another car. Newell says it's a great help, but more than anything, all drivers must remain alert and aware of the potential danger of driving alongside them.
"A lot of people don't think it'll happen to them that's the scary part," said Newell.
Nicholas Carter, the victim of the semi-truck crash was the 430th person to die in a traffic accident this year in Arkansas.
The news is putting some truck drivers on defense of their safety standards, some, leaving comments on the KARK 4 Facebook page. Some comments from truck drivers or drivers' relatives said they felt the hard work they do to stay safe is often overlooked when there is a tragedy.
"Wow, you see things like that happen, all the time," Dean Newell told KARK Reporter Brittney Johnson as he helped navigate a driving exercise on a training simulator.
This is just one part of the training Newell says Maverick Trucking drivers need before hopping in a real big rig.
"You have to drive for every one else around you," he said, driving a truck.
Maverick's Vice President of Safety, Dean Newell says he spent ten years on the road before crossing over to help drivers focus on safety.
"You see people reading, putting on makeup, talking on cell phones," said Newell.
But that's not enough.
"Regretfully we as an industry are involved in accidents killing more than 5000 people a year," said Lane Kidd, President of the Arkansas Trucking Association.
Kidd says while safety is a major priority, they still see a high number of accidents.
"Even I have been on the interstate and had the occasional tractor trailer blow by me going way too fast or in my opinion being way too close on my bumper, that being said, the best drivers on our nation's highways are truck drivers," he said.
To help drivers, companies like Maverick are investing in more technology, like collision mitigation system.
"He's a 150 feet in front of me and running 65 miles an hour," Newell added, pointing out features in the truck.
It even slows itself down if it gets too close to another car. Newell says it's a great help, but more than anything, all drivers must remain alert and aware of the potential danger of driving alongside them.
"A lot of people don't think it'll happen to them that's the scary part," said Newell.
Nicholas Carter, the victim of the semi-truck crash was the 430th person to die in a traffic accident this year in Arkansas.
Comments
well some truckers are very safe its just like other drivers you have those that cant drive and chew gum at the same time then the ones that think they can multi task on the hyws but truth be told some of the truckers feel as if everyone should get out of there way some look and some dont but you cant judge all truck drivers by what a few do for every bad driver there are 10 more that try to get it right
Tina T.
October 23, 2012 at 9:11 am
This is a good article but I still think someone needs to ride with a driver for more than a few minutes and observe some of the things that occur..As a Truckers Wife I have seen alot of Scary things and alot could have been avoided by the smaller vehicles on the roadways.. I am in no way saying Drivers are perfect. There are some who just don't care.While riding with my husband several close calls come to mind.. We were in Colorado and traffic was moving fast on the freeway and out of know where this car swirves right in front of us and my husband had to hit the brakes and Im not kidding when I say you couldn't have stuck a paper back book between us.. Scared us both to death and all because the womans kids were bouncin around in the back seat and she wasnt paying attention to us because she was preoccupied with her kids ...Thank God we didnt hit them .. Things like this is an every day thing in the life of a driver.
Cathy F.
October 23, 2012 at 9:11 am
