RV accident kills five!

[TRR]

For the first six months, drivers under 18 can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. except to travel to work or school, or if they have a licensed driver over 25 with them.

For the first first six months, drivers under 18 can only have one other teenage passenger, unless accompanied by a parents of guardian. Then, for the next six months, teenagers may only drive up to three teenage passengers."

Florida has similar legislation. Does not mean that it produces safe drivers. In-spite of the legislation, the parents really are the ones that should determine what the young driver can (is allowed) to handle and what they can't (meaning what, when, and where). In this case it appears the parents made a mistake.

 

[Ken45101]

So by your rational it's okay. As long as no one gets hurt or caught while doing it illegally? I'm sure the dead and injured had a choice too.

Well they obviously DID have a choice, they got in and rode. Yes, passengers are ultimately responsible for their selves when they elect to ride with someone else driving.

 

[QRTRHRS]

First off, I dislike rules meant to protect stupid people from themselves as much as anyone else. But since we have an abundance of people who are not quite capable or who think that they are above the law, we all have to live with it.

I have read that the driver was legally able to drive an RV. When I picture a 17 year old driving an RV, I do not see a tandem axle Freightliner, I see a class C or a pickup with a travel trailer, etc.

I also read that these folks raced motocross successfully winning several trophies. Money or trophies are considered for gain. Therefore, this was a commercial venture. Therefore, the 17 year old should not have been driving.

I agree that there are quite capable 17 year olds.

I agree that there are people quite capable of setting up/using a rig like this so as not to endanger themselves or anyone else.

But then there are those that are not. That is why some oversight is needed.

In this instance, those killed were within the scope of the operation. Still horrible but they had to know and accept the risks of trusting their lives to a 17 year old. It could just as easily have involved someone or some family out and about and doing nothing wrong and not deserving of dying in a horrible accident.

Yes, things can and do happen and the results are not always so good. That is why you start out with the proper equipment and the proper qualifications. Then you have done everything you could.

 

[jpm1]

First of all, my heart goes out to the survivors of this crash, be it family, or friends, this is totally tragic!
I am a professional driver by trade for 32 years now and a company driver/ trainer for 15 years now. Shame on the state DOT for not making a law to prevent under age, unskilled, untrained drivers behind the wheel of this type of equipment. This young lad might have been the most responsible young lad going but. . .does not have the experience nor the maturity to handle a rig of this size and weight when things go wrong which sooner or later they will. As a professional driver and i speak for many out there we take great strides to keep us safe every day on the road along with others that are driving and are "out of class"
I will probably irritate people with the comment on "RV'S and senior citizens. This is a real problem just waiting to happpen. I have seen people hauling
5th wheel trailers as long as my trailer on just a regular license. I realize the license does not made you a driver but shows you have recieved some sort of training to get it. I paid $350 dollars to renew my license to haul this trailer. What makes motor homes and RV's any different. I have to take a DOT physical each year, whats fair for me should be fair for all hauling this stuff. DOT inspectors i'm sure feel the same way from what they tell me at inspection sites.
This rig was not a cheap rig this family had and i add anyone out there hauling something like this, spend some more cash and get some specialized training in heavy vechile driving, re-think your abilities because the life you save may be yours and mine too. I don't want to come across as a know-it all truck jock, just some one whom spends his life on the highway. Thinking you know how to drive and get there is one thing but. . .Knowing your limits and how to handle your self in a emergency situation takes training, experience and maturity.
Again my prayers go to the people left behind due to this tragic accident . . .John

 

[AGGIE00]

You might find it interesting to know that the entire fleet of Texas A&M buses are operated by over 400 19-22 year old students. It requires a class B with airbrakes, but not hard to get. I drove these buses for three years and we had very few accidents. Every now and then one would prove to not be up to the task, but almost all are good drivers. Not far from 17.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You might find it interesting to know that the entire fleet of Texas A&M buses are operated by over 400 19-22 year old students. It requires a class B with airbrakes, but not hard to get. I drove these buses for three years and we had very few accidents. Every now and then one would prove to not be up to the task, but almost all are good drivers. Not far from 17.

Yea, but driving a bus around town versus a combo like this a 70 mph on the freeway is a little different.

I was operating a Semi at the Airport hauling 8,000 gallons of fuel at that age but different circumstances.

Not saying it cant be done. I went to my drivers exam in my dads Ranger pulling a boat. Dropped it in the parking lot, did the test, hitched back up, and off to the lake. I bet 1/2 of my driving on my beginners permit was with a trailer on the back.

Chris

 

[flusher]

Tragic--but that whole modified setup was a disaster looking for a place to happen. Anyone who heads down the road without seatbelt restraint is rolling the dice in any type of vehicle.

 

[dusty3030]

Tragic--but that whole modified setup was a disaster looking for a place to happen. Anyone who heads down the road without seatbelt restraint is rolling the dice in any type of vehicle.

Exactly, they should'nt have been riding in the back, especially kids.
It was made for sleeping in, not riding.

 

[AGGIE00]

Yea, but driving a bus around town versus a combo like this a 70 mph on the freeway is a little different.

I was operating a Semi at the Airport hauling 8,000 gallons of fuel at that age but different circumstances.

Not saying it cant be done. I went to my drivers exam in my dads Ranger pulling a boat. Dropped it in the parking lot, did the test, hitched back up, and off to the lake. I bet 1/2 of my driving on my beginners permit was with a trailer on the back.

Chris

Not just around town. We would and they still do drive charters 3 hours down the road. No it is not exactly the same, but I was making a point you missed.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not just around town. We would and they still do drive charters 3 hours down the road. No it is not exactly the same, but I was making a point you missed.

Got ya. My ex was a professor at ISU, Indiana State University, and she took students on trips also. The difference is they had professors driving, not students. Not that they are really any more qualified.

Chris