Another Fatal Truck Accident on a Canadian Highway

EDMONTON, Alberta - April 19, 2018 - PRLog -- As we have seen another highway closure yesterday as a result of a fatal accident involving a commercial truck, we need to ensure that regardless of the cause, more is done to educate professional and personal motor vehicle operators. Even if these issues do not cover the circumstances of this accident yesterday on the Yellowhead highway in Vavenby, British Columbia or the accident involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team, more awareness needs to be out there to prevent further deaths on North American highways.

As a professional driver with over a million kilometres of highway experience, there is not much I have not seen. Drivers sometimes feel anxious when following large vehicles such as trucks and busses so they take risks when trying to pass these vehicles. They pass the large vehicle and make a lane change back into the same lane, not leaving a safe distance between. Too further cause a very dangerous situation, they no longer feel the need to increase speed as the pass is done and let off of the accelerator. The truck or bus now has to brake in order to not rear end the vehicle that just passed them and jumped in front of them. Most times they do not even clue in that they have just caused the truck or bus to take corrective measures to avoid hitting them.

I also see truckers following at such a close distance to the vehicles in front of them that if the vehicles in front slow down in the slightest, the truck or bus is going to be on top of them before they can brake. Sometimes it is in the passing lane and the so called "professional driver" does this . They are trying to pressure the lead vehicle to move over out of the way. If the person in the lead vehicle is a newer driver or anxious driver, they can panic and react in an unexpected manner, resulting in a potentially fatal accident.

Most drivers feel that once they have passed the written test and the road test to obtain the drivers license, that the learning is done. They sometimes also do not pay any attention to what was on the driving test because they now feel they are the best driver in the world. We have all heard someone we know say, "I am not worried about my driving, I only worry about the other drivers out there". These can also be a dangerous driver on the road as they feel over confident in their own abilities and can sometimes be more easily distracted while driving because they think the are so good, they do not need to be as attentive as others. I have driven to points all over Canada and the United States and I for one will always be open to learning more. I also will catch myself practicing an unsafe habit such as one hand on the wheel or going to reach for the phone when it rings etc. Sometimes I will notice someone with bad habits and then get in my car and realize I am doing something I did not approve of the other person doing.

Public service announcements online or televised and through other media not only educate newer drivers but also act as reminders for even the most experienced drivers. More and more safe driving tips need to be in the hands of drivers to act as a catalyst for changing driving habits and make our roads safer.

I have worked as a consultant for several transportation companies and shadowed their drivers from another vehicle. I would then compile learning reports for companies to retrain drivers in some areas requiring attention. The idea is to correct the drivers, not punish them.

GPS and other tracking systems can help to identify poor driving habits but may not reflect drivers who are always on the phone while driving or who are practicing unsafe following distances etc.

I had a coworker who would ride in the passenger seat, he used to get upset and be very vocal at other drivers if they did something he felt was unsafe. I explained to him that it is not a very good habit. I asked him, "what if your son was driving that car and was still learning to drive or maybe your elder relative and they make a mistake? Even if they realize the mistake and know to correct it in the future, now they have someone yelling and honking at them. This could cause them to get more nervous and make an even bigger mistake in a panic. How would you feel when they are in a major accident as a result of the added panic you added to the situation?" He soon changed that and became a more patient passenger and driver when he was in the driver's seat.
https://youtu.be/rT7nZJyxmu4



As a former pro truck and bus driver, a multimedia content creator and member of the International Association of Press Photographers, I know we could be creating better content to increase safety and reduce costs and injuries resulting from poor driving habits.