The Alabama truck driver who slammed into a van on March 26 on Interstate 65 near Munfordville, Ky., killing 10 people and himself, was talking on a cell phone and may have been speeding, according to a state police accident report.

 

What a testament to forgiveness by those who knew the victims:

 

Leroy Kauffman, pastor of Marrowbone Christian Brotherhood, who is related to some of the victims, said the factors listed as contributing to the accident are irrelevant.“It's done, and there is nothing we can do about it,” he said. “It was God's will.”

He said his branch of the Mennonite church doesn't believe in lawsuits, and none will be filed on behalf of survivors Johnny and Josiah Esh.

 

I can only hope I would feel the same if I were in that situation.

His branch doesn't believe in law suits, so the survivors are left with nothing? The trucking company likely has at least a million dollar insurance policy that would help offset the costs of the funerals, estate expenses, etc. that are inevitable in a situation like this.

His branch doesn't believe in law suits, so the survivors are left with nothing? The trucking company likely has at least a million dollar insurance policy that would help offset the costs of the funerals, estate expenses, etc. that are inevitable in a situation like this.

 

While I'm sure it won't happen, wouldn't it be great if the trucking company took care of these expenses without being told(sued) that they had to do it.

While I do not think talking on the phone is bad at times while driving a car, when you are a truck driver you should never because it takes much more driving skills and concentration to keep that on the road.

While I do not think talking on the phone is bad at times while driving a car, when you are a truck driver you should never because it takes much more driving skills and concentration to keep that on the road.

 

Driving and talking on the phone is bad-- period! (Texting too). We all do it. We all put ourselves and others at risk everyday.

Just one more distraction when tooling around in death mobiles. I wish they would ban the use while driving in KY. It would hurt at first but we would get used to it.

Prayers to the family!

Driving and talking on the phone is bad-- period! (Texting too). We all do it. We all put ourselves and others at risk everyday.

Just one more distraction when tooling around in death mobiles. I wish they would ban the use while driving in KY. It would hurt at first but we would get used to it.

Prayers to the family!

 

A bit extreme in my opinion. I don't find it any more risk of talking on a cell phone while driving than changing the channel on the radio. Bad situations happen, and sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. If you are responsible enough while doing it, no further risk than just actually driving. No need for a law to ban it.

A bit extreme in my opinion. I don't find it any more risk of talking on a cell phone while driving than changing the channel on the radio. Bad situations happen, and sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. If you are responsible enough while doing it, no further risk than just actually driving. No need for a law to ban it.

 

A lot of cars have enabled people to change the station & volume on the steering wheel. Other cars have a bluetooth that allows incoming & outgoing calls in a "hands free" manner.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to a ban on cell phone use while driving, unless it's hands free. There are simply too many people on their phone who shouldn't be.

A lot of cars have enabled people to change the station & volume on the steering wheel. Other cars have a bluetooth that allows incoming & outgoing calls in a "hands free" manner.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to a ban on cell phone use while driving, unless it's hands free. There are simply too many people on their phone who shouldn't be.

 

I agree with Crazy!

I totaled my car Fri. Some girl had to be texting. She was coming head on and tried to turn left in front of me without ever looking up. I watched her face the whole time. Had I not cut my wheel and locked up the breaks I think she would be dead because we would have hit head on pretty fast. I ended up getting my car sideways a good bit and locked the breaks up good.

Moral of the story is texting and driving is a death wish! It is so hard to get people out of the mentality that it won't happen to them but it is beyond dangerous! I've said it before and I'll say it again...wear your seatbelt! I drive everyday for work. Had a perfect driving record until this year. I've been in two wrecks with no scratches. I am about 90% sure I'd been through the windshield both times if I didn't have my seatbelt on. Wear your seatbelts and don't text!

I totaled my car Fri. Some girl had to be texting. She was coming head on and tried to turn left in front of me without ever looking up. I watched her face the whole time. Had I not cut my wheel and locked up the breaks I think she would be dead because we would have hit head on pretty fast. I ended up getting my car sideways a good bit and locked the breaks up good.

Moral of the story is texting and driving is a death wish! It is so hard to get people out of the mentality that it won't happen to them but it is beyond dangerous! I've said it before and I'll say it again...wear your seatbelt! I drive everyday for work. Had a perfect driving record until this year. I've been in two wrecks with no scratches. I am about 90% sure I'd been through the windshield both times if I didn't have my seatbelt on. Wear your seatbelts and don't text!

 

Great advise Stick! Glads to hear you are OK. Cars can be replaced, lives can't!

There was a relevant article in the Enquirer this morning regarding cell phones and teens.

http://www.kypost.com/news/national/story/Cell-phones-raise-teen-nighttime-driving-risks/fHCKOsUovUyZJVh5vYflNg.cspx

• Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. (Source: Carnegie Mellon)
   
   
  
• Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (NHTSA)
   
   
  
• Drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.
   
   
  
• Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
   
   
  
• Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (Source: University of Utah)
  

 

[*]Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (NHTSA)

 

 

Let's go ahead and outlaw eating, drinking, and carrying on a conversation while driving then....

Let's go ahead and outlaw eating, drinking, and carrying on a conversation while driving then....

Nah, just the things that are blatantly foolish and dangerous. Those other activities don't fit the bill; although eating and drinking is pretty dumb too.

Nah, just the things that are blatantly foolish and dangerous. Those other activities don't fit the bill; although eating and drinking is pretty dumb too.

 

How is talking on a phone while driving any different than talking to someone sitting next to you or in the backseat?