Remember To Always Do a Pretrip


Larry

Well-Known Member
I was coming through Hartford (small town here in IL with the refineries) I was about to get onto Route 3 when I hear an air horn blaring well this Beelman Peterbilt (company truck) ran through the red light blaring his horn. I tried raising him on the cb but he didn't answer and it had my heart racing when I seen this unfold. I don't know if his brakes failed or what but I don't know if he was loaded or not cause he must have came from Alton cause he was going towards I-270. He seemed to be coasting but he sure wasn't doing the speed limit which is 55, I'd say he was getting her slowed down or at least trying to. Like I said I don't know if he lost his brakes or what but PLEASE always remember to do a pretrip!
 

And...

Remember to always slow down when coming into town, and to always anticipate a red light!
 
Actually it was outside of town and I don't know if he found out he lost his brakes before the light or not more than likely that was when he found out. I'm just glad there wasn't any cars stopped in front of him or I would have been a witness to something I never want to see happen in person. It had my heart racing for a couple hours after wards!
 
He probably was heavy and couldnt slow down. The most logical conclusion is normally the correct one.

I don't think he was loaded and Beelman runs end dumps along with pneumatic tankers but this one was a end dump and they run A LOT of coal.
 
I don't think he was loaded and Beelman runs end dumps along with pneumatic tankers but this one was a end dump and they run A LOT of coal.

Details are important. Then most likely he didnt see the light in time and didnt want to hit the brakes hard and cause his trailer to jackknife causing more of a problem.
 
Details are important. Then most likely he didnt see the light in time and didnt want to hit the brakes hard and cause his trailer to jackknife causing more of a problem.


Yeah that is true but all I heard was the horn blaring and him going through the light, that is all the detail I can give ya. Hell he had plenty of time to stop and he seemed to be blaring the horn like he was having brake problems. If he was having brake problems the only thing I could think of going out without causing the brakes to lock up is the treadle valve.
 
Actually the word Stupidity comes to mind of being the most logical conclusion.

In any event had he been driving his equipment professonally, then he would have been able to anticipate suprise conditions. Stupidity is no excuse to an accident
 
"Stupitidy"... The word is "stupitidy".... :neener:

No amount of "pre-trip" is gonna' stop a truck that is being operated to fast for conditions. Approaching a light going too fast to stop safely, especially with other traffic sitting on the trigger, is too fast for conditions.

Since we're on the subject of inspections, don't forget the post-trip. The problems can't be corrected until they're documented. I don't know about ya'll, but, I'd rather spend my shift driving than waiting on repairs, so, write the dayum thing up so it'll be repaired and ready to roll when I show up for work. I'll do the same for you.
 

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