Posted on 08/30/2025 5:32:07 PM PDT by xxqqzz
A veteran truck driver says the deadly turnpike crash that killed three people never should have happened — and it’s just the latest example of unsafe shortcuts he sees every day on America’s highways.
Bernie Mahoney, a longtime CDL driver and owner-operator, told WPBF 25 News Investigative Reporter Terri Parker that from his first day in truck school, one rule was drilled in: never make a U-turn in a semi.
"Never do a U-turn. Never. If I miss a turn, I find a big parking lot — a Lowe’s or Home Depot — away from the public to turn a 53-foot trailer around," Mahoney said.
The crash happened when investigators say a driver attempted a U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County, causing a minivan to slam into it, killing three people.
Mahoney says those unsafe shortcuts are becoming more common — and too often, basic rules of the road are ignored.
He recalls being in Montana just two weeks ago when he saw drivers turned away at a loading site because they could not read, write, or speak English.
"There was a big sign that said if you do not read, write or speak English, your truck will not be loaded. Three guys pulled up, and none of them spoke clear English. They were turned away," Mahoney said.
He explained that federal law requires drivers to be able to communicate in English — a safeguard for understanding safety instructions, bills of lading, and emergency situations.
On the road, Mahoney says he regularly sees semis with duct-taped fenders, poor maintenance, and drivers barreling down steep grades at dangerous speeds — sometimes even steering with their feet.
(Excerpt) Read more at wpbf.com ...
This makes self driving trucks look better than ever. Ali and Manuel…meet Otto!
Reckless drivers on the road in our area ramped up during Brandon’s 4 years... it seems to have gotten better, but it still seems unsafe. Lack of police on the road seems to be adding to the problem....
“Give me forty acres and I’ll turn this rig around
It’s the easiest way that I’ve found
Some guys can turn her on a dime or turn it right downtown
But I need forty acres to turn this rig around”
If you want to see a scary video, watch a video of drivers in India and Pakistan. Bus and truck drivers swerve into opposing lanes to pass slow trucks, and do it at high speed with barely enough room to swerve back and avoid head-on collisions. Life expectancy is probably short for those drivers. Scary to watch!
Who do you blame? The Indians trying to find work or the corrupt DMV personnel?
“This makes self driving trucks look better than ever.”
The software is written by the same culture... I’m not sure they can drive a keyboard any better than a Truck...
Mahoney's right - this is what has to happen in Florida...if you can't read or write English, you can't drive a truck on our roads. It needs to happen soon. Fight idiots like California Gov NewScum who hands out licenses to these killers.
My dad could back a set of doubles around a corner.
He logged 3.5 million miles with the Teamsters.
Back when they were patriots.
BOTH
Saw the same thing when driving in Turkey and Venezuela.
I never blame the welfare recipients for getting too many benefits. It’s our elected politicians to blame who give them tax payers money.
Backing up doubles is a skill very few possess. A very good friend of mine (who taught me truck driving) was very good at it. Blind-side even. His dad taught him to shift a 13 speed without the clutch at age 12. BTW, shifting w/no clutch was much easier than I expected. A running joke between us and a few other friends: “If you can’t go around a corner, shift, drink a cup of coffee, and talk on the CB all at the same time, you are not a REAL truck driver.”
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