TC accident CA99 in Bakersfield

mkirsch wrote:

profdant139 wrote:
Who in his right mind would slam on the brakes in front of a big rig?

Lots of people NOT in their right mind would slam on their brakes in front of a tractor trailer, though. Idiots are not in their right mind. They don't have a right mind. Lots of idiots on the road. Owning a TC does not preclude one from being an idiot, sorry to say.

When making a decision to run into the vehicle stopped or slowing drastically or potentially being rear-ended, most will hit the brakes rather than hit the guy in front at speed. Given the choice I would be on my brakes to do my best not to injure the people in front of me. If the camper had hit a vehicle in front of them, they would have stopped just as suddenly, and still be struck by the semi. Were they unaware of the factors making that a dangerous piece of road? Maybe, maybe not. Was the trucker aware of the potential dangers, again maybe, maybe not but as a professional, he should have been, and understanding the unpredictability of civilian drivers should have been anticipating this possibility by slowing himself (it was an exit ramp if I read correctly)

I always drive with the assumption that the other fellow that 4 way stop is going to run it. The fool that passes you and 90 to yank over four lanes to take an exit will do it. I taught 5 daughters how to drive. The first thing I always tell them as soon as they start becoming aware of traffic and driving is "never bet against stupid, you will lose every time." Drive prudently, assume the unexpected and always remember being late is never as bad as never showing up again.