Before your eyes? ( Archived) (20)

I do believe a few of us on the forums have, it's something that you'll never ever forget, either. You can try to displace it, but it'll be quite difficult. It's just like those who remember where they were and what they were doing when Kennedy got shot, and the Challenger explosion.

I do remember what I was doing when the Challenger expolded and where I was on 9/11...Some things youll never forget.. I was one of the 911 operators who took calls during the whole Columbine ordeal..Talking to those kids who were hiding under tables and in lockers and classrooms is something you never forget..

I drove OTR for 6 years. The worst incident was in Nebraska. Middle of January and suddenly the roads iced over. Up ahead of me there was a car in the median, and seeing this I naturally started slowing down, in case this vehicle tried to pull out. However, the traffic in front of me saw the same thing and began slamming on their brakes. Next thing I know, my 80,000 lb truck is gaining way too fast on these cars that are practically stopped on the road in front of me, blocking both lanes and the right shoulder. Obviously I had nowhere to go, and knowing that the last thing I should do was to hit my brakes too hard, I really had no choice, other than turn right and ditch the truck ( which I was a split second from deciding to do ), possibly killing myself and maybe someone else. I did manage to get slowed down enough to avoid hitting anyone or wrecking the truck ( not sure how many almost-jackknifes I went through ), and ended up stopping at the next exit to get out and calm my nerves.

The only thing that went through my mind at the time was that I was going to wipe out a few vehicles no matter what I did, that someone on this road was going to get killed by this 40 ton truck that I was in control of. I didn't think about my family, kids, or home; all my mind kept seeing was my rig plowing through these people ahead of me.

Trucker, I'm glad to hear that you came through it OK.

[ Short Hijack ]
A lot of people have no clue as to what is involved in driving a tractor trailer. My oldest daughters went on the road with me before getting a drivers license, and I think it has really helped them be more safety conscience around larger vehicles. If anyone ever has the opportunity, take a ride in an 18 wheeler; you'll see the road in an entirely different perspective.
[ End of Hijack ]

TruckerLuv...I used to do over-the -road too. One
Winter I was sent up I-81 to Wilkes Barre, PA after
a heavy snowfall; in fact the highway hadn't even been
plowed yet, and the secondary roads were terrible! I
went to make a turn into the industrial complex and
looked into my right mirror just in time to see my trailer
headed towards my cab! I gave it enough of a 'goose' to
pull it out of the jack-knife, and was okay but that's
a damn scary feeling to know that 20,000 lbs. are
headed straight for ya! I wasn't afraid of dying though...
I was afraid I'd wreck the rig!

Missy I was also a 911 emergencey operator...and especially the calls that involved children caused me to break down every time...during the call my tone of voice never changed though..but afterwards...

In the end i gave up the job because of all the children i could not help...

As for the trucker...yes in those moments you are going to think of the people you most love and care for...and even though she is your soon to be ex..there was a love there at one time...and the mother of your children...your lives are forever intertwined...it just shows your character....

Definately, times like those make you appreciate life a little more, I drive a 2006 Pete Wireline truck and see crashes all the time

well lets see where i begin on this one

in 1998 i flipped a Grand Am landed in a rice field ditch(hwich is quite large) i had a front tire blow out i had no selt belt and walked away un harmed at the time i didnt not have my son but yes my life flasded before my eyes


when Allison hit i along with my mom and my son who was 2 or 3 at the time were with me on my way back from Louisana i was exiting I-10 on to 146 and was reended by an 18 carrying a heavy oversized load and i was horrified that my son was hurt i got out of the vec. and went to check on my son thank goodness he was ok



and in Oct. of last year i was stopped at a red light and it turned green i started to go and a gentleman was coming the other way hit me on my pass. side my life truly passed in front of my eyes i had terrible pains in my legs and couldnt move the asswipe that hit me didnt even come to see about me when the ambulance arrived the head EMT was an Ex-bf of mine and he told me if i had to cry that it was ok i didnt really till i got in the ambulance cause the pain got worse and i thought that something was seriously(sp) wrong
i was checked out and am fine now but damn it was scary

Glad you are okay. I have thoughts like that when strange things happen. You can't help but wonder at those moments if you have done the right things or are doing the right thing.

I had something happen in '03. I was working at the end of my driveway when a drunk driver swerved over and hit me and kept driving. I could only regain focus to see it was a lt. blue car. thank god there was a witness. The whole time I was laying there I thought about my daughter and family. I now view life in general with a whole new respect. Things must happen for a reason. Kevin