Fatal Crash on I-81 near Carlisle, PA
On Friday afternoon, August 28, 2009, one person was killed, and another injured with a tractor-trailer crossed from the northbound lanes to the southbound lanes on I-81. The picture below was taken by Matt Miller of the Harrisburg Patriot-News, who also wrote the linked article.
One of the reasons I posted this is because of the 60+ comments which follow the article. There is a good discussion between a few truck drivers and some of the general motoring public. I know that stretch of I-81 and it’s awful. Two lanes each way, heavily congested. A ton of truck traffic. One of the truck drivers inimates in the comments the reason the truck crossed into oncoming traffic was because a four wheeler cut him off. Maybe. There is no other mention of this in the articles. That same truck driver continues stating that four wheel drivers are the source of all accidents, and truck drivers make no mistakes.
Well I wouldn’t go that far. Statistically, around 65-75% of fatal truck crashes are caused by four wheelers. I’m quoting that statistic from memory, from my time when I worked for the Man in Washington DC. I’m pretty sure it’s close to accurate. On the other hand, to say truck drivers never make a mistake is wrong too. Truckers are professionals, and are expected to be better drivers than car drivers, but that’s not always the case.
In this accident, this very same accident, after the Swift Transportation truck crossed the median, traffic began to slow. About 1/2 mile behind the original crash, a flatbed, operated by Travis Woods of McVeytown, PA was driving. He failed to slow his truck in time, hit two vehicles and ended up in the median. Luckily no one else was killed or seriously injured. Woods was arrested for driving under the influence. At 2:00pm in the afternoon, in an 80,000 lb. truck, no less. Anyway, when I hear truck drivers blame all car drivers for every disaster on the highway, I know they are partially right. I also know there are a good number of Travis Woods’ out there too.
