This article from the San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/26/MN9T1K2PVL.DTL&tsp=1
stated that there were grade crossing signs beginning at almost 900 feet from the crossing, another set of signs at 650 feet, and skid marks indicating that the truck applied its brakes 320 feet (”but was unable to stop in time”) from the crossing. Something doesn’t add up. An experienced truck driver leading a convoy would have begun to slow down at the first set of signs at 900 feet. Barring any other scenarios such as being “electronically distracted” by a cell phone, it doesn’t seem likely that this professional driver would try to do something so foolhardy and dangerous as trying to beat a train. The train always wins.
"I’m a truck driver. I’ve driven that stretch of 95 many times on the way from Idaho to Yuma, AZ. The road is straight as an arrow. There is nothing to obstruct one’s view of the rail crossing. When the lights are flashing they can be seen a mile away. The driver was hauling ass and tried to stop too late as evidenced by the skid marks. That means he was awake but oblivious to flashing red lights and a train moving across his path until they were right in his face. Eventually cell phones will be designed so they don’t work when they’re moving."
# 25 June 2011 at 9:01 pm