old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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hope he has good insurance because he is going to get sued I bet.
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smjanes
Ottawa
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When I was a teenager, my Dad was run down (and thankfully survived) by a woman that "confused" the gas/brake. She did the same thing this guy did, got on the gas and stayed on it. Even after she ran over my father, she stayed on the gas until the car ended up upside down in a ditch. She was only in her 30's and did not lose her license.
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stevelv
Living on the island
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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Talking of licenses - I wonder if he had the correct license for the vehicle?
Why on earth was he in the right hand lane towing a 25'+ horsebox?
He obviously saw stopped traffic and panicked - it's a common enough mistake for anyone I'm afraid and age probably isn't a factor.
He made the biggest mistake that a lot of us make - 25 tons takes a long time to stop even if you use the brakes.
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moparmaga2
Texas
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BarbaraOK wrote:I find the posts on this interesting because every time someone posts about having to take a driving test to operate large RV rigs, there is a hue and cry about how unnecessary the test is, etc. I'm not saying that a driving test would have made the difference in this particular case, but that having people show that they can handle the rig is something that every state should do.
Barb
The reason that 99% of people are against this is that it would just end up being a money grab by the states, just like anything else in the history of government.
They would probably charge 500 bucks to see if you can put it in gear.
Just like the dumb state inspections that we do in Texas. Basically it amounts to putting a sticker on your windshield and taking their $15.00
$15.00 x 20 million = $300000000. All a cash grab
* This post was
edited 11/09/09 02:12pm by moparmaga2 *
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john&bet
North Vernon,in.
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Looks to me like there are too many rushs to judge and jumping to conclussions on this tragic incedent. Lets get real people. Do your best to drive safely and don't let it happen to you.
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wandering1
Texas
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Sounds like he is way over the hill. I hope he is barred from driving.
HR
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BarbaraOK
Livingston, Texas, USA
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moparmaga2 wrote:
The reason that 99% of people are against this is that it would just end up being a money grab by the states, just like anything else in the history of government.
They would probably charge 500 bucks to see if you can put it in gear.
It was $10 for each of us to upgrade to a Texas Class B.
Quote:Just like the dumb state inspections that we do in Texas. Basically it amounts to putting a sticker on your windshield and taking their $15.00
$15.00 x 20 million = $300000000. All a cash grab
If you can't afford the safety inspection to make sure that your brakes work, how are you going to afford to fix those brakes. I'm sorry, but I really think all states need to have an inspection to make sure lights, brakes, horns, etc. work, and for areas that need emission control, then those old smokers need to be inspected and taken off of the road if they can't pass. Not everyone is as conscientious and safety minded as you are.
Barb
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GHOST1750
THE GOLDEN STATE My taxes help keep it that way!!
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Unless the RV picture is changing I think a good percentage of classA owners are between 60 and 80. One of the things that scares me most is someone panic stopping in front of me even though I try to keep at least four seconds between me and the car ahead at all times. That trailer plus three horses was a lot of weight.
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chuckster11
Idaho
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If anyone ever comes up with an Olympic 1500 meter high hurdle conclusion jumping event, I have a source for some real world class competitors.
We sure don't know much to be taking away licenses, discriminating against older drivers, or even making an educated guess about what might have happened in this incident.
Accidents are accidents because otherwise careful, or reckless, individuals make a mistake or series of mistakes under all kinds of circumstances--sometimes little mistakes. Somehow I'm believing the "I hit the accelerator by mistake" statement is an excuse--can't imagine that a pusher pulling a loaded horse trailer just shot out of the gate in an uncontrollable manner. Driving too fast, too inattentively, in heavy traffic is more likely the case.
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Nomadac
Columbus, IN
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I attended a Hazard Avoidance Seminar for MH's and the instructor gave us these tables. So for all of those that like to drive fast consider this:
Reaction Time @
30 MPH = 3 + 30 = 33' distance traveled
65 MPH = 6 + 65 = 71'
70 MPH = 7 + 70 = 77'
80 MPH = 8 + 80 = 88'
90 MPH = 9 + 90 = 99'
Stopping Distance
30 MPH = 3 x 30 = 90'
65 MPH = 6 x 65 = 390'
70 MPH = 7 x 70 = 490'
80 MPH = 8 x 80 = 640'
90 MPH = 9 x 90 = 810'
Now when you consider the distance you will travel while you are reacting and then add to this the stopping distance, the faster you are going the longer distance you will travel before you stop. Yes stopping distance with vary with the type of RV, weight, etc. but don't expect it to stop like a Ferrari. And yo can increase these distances with more weight of MH and what you might be towing.
And the sudden stop when you meet an immovable object will have devastating results.
Note: this only applies if you hit the brake pedal vs. the gas pedal.
Arnie
2003 Travel Supreme MH
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