Reports of Unsafe Sightings

Location Date Time Truck Type Cargo Details
1 I-20/59 & Airport Birmingham under the overpass 3/21/05 10-11am 18 Wheeler "... ran red light... truck was driving TOO FAST to stop and ran through intersection after oncoming traffic had already started moving. The driver was laughing."
2 1-59 W on 59 towards Tuscaloosa Tanker truck silver "... blowing it's horn flashing lights for her to get out of the left lane -- she was going 75mph"
3 459 going to Atlanta, near exit 135   "Reporting on 459 going to Atlanta - "truck tailgating not just her, but others. (I told her if she thought it was life threatening to call 911 & report him to state troopers)"
4 65N Birmingham, Fultondale area "Reported trucks ... going 80-85mph in rain, getting behind cars in left lane, flashing lights, blowing horn. Trying to make them get over so they could go ahead of them."
5 Birmingham   "He had read article in Birmingham News, called to report a [ truck company name]... passing him about 90mph, went off on the edge a little and slung rocks all over his car and chipped his windshield. Also wanted to know about this law that says Mexican truck drivers do not have to abide by DOT regulations, they don't have to stop at rest areas or weigh stations or anything? Can we enlighten him on this law? Please call and let him know."
6 Birmingham I-65 Gas truck "... 801 tanker 701 truck... Badcock - 701 trailer over 70mph... "
7 Calera, AL: Hwy 31 & Shelby hwy 87 Dump Truck rocks, gravel I have seen this many times committed by many different trucks. They just push cars out of the way so they wonÅft have to stop on the hill. Sooner or later someone is going to get run over by these trucks
8 Fairfield, AL 7000 block of Aaron Arnov Dr., in front of Wal-Mart/Food World 3/18/05 11-12am 16 wheeler enclosed box trailer "expired tag. Left tail light was out"
9 Grayville, AL 3/25/05 9-10am 18 wheeler, open top dump trailer, maroon gravel or ash "Truck speeding, unsafe lane changing and every bump he hit caused a shower of debris endangering windshields and paint. I do not believe markings on truck were legal. Nothing on tractor doors, [ truck company name] in very small lettering, maybe 1" on sleeper and NO DOT NUMBER visible. I cannot find [ truck company name] in B'ham Tel directory or on internet may be a bogus name."
10 Hwy 15 Tallapoosa county, Hwy 15 Logging logs Call 9:30 am & 2:30 "Reporting logging trucks running cars off the road or into ditches speeding on 2 lane hwys. *Please call her back & let her know who she can help more."
11 Hwy 21 Grove Hill, AL Reporting trucker going 90mph
12 Hwy 22 mile marker 41 on Ala Hwy 22 near the Chilton/Dallas Co line near Paul B. Grist State park turn 4/6/05 1-2pm Mulch chips or mulch "Tailgating (less than a passenger car length per 10mph. @60mph was less than four car lengths!!! Was running @ 70mph+++ after passing my vehicle!! ... too fast for complete tag#
13 HWY 280 near Chelsea on 280 Tanker "Reporting truck 20mph over speed limit... changing lanes zig zagging through traffic... please turn this truck in/send information to him and his wife."
14 Hwy 280 @ I85 & Hwy 431 Opelika, AL trucks speeding "*Very interested in our efforts, wants to help too. Reported Channel 12 Montgomery carrying report on Roll On Safely Alabama. Feel free to call her."
15 Hwy 82 W. Chilton/Bibb Co & 2 lane out of Centerville "(Independent driver) Ok to call... . 2 trucks speeding, passing him on double line running about 85-90mph... feel free to call him"
16 I-10 3/25/05 1-2am 2003 Chev 1500. Blue with chrome rims. 4 wheels. Looked like 12 foot trlr. Looked pretty big to me. This Truck kept getting in front of me and then slowing down. I almost hit it a couple times. I would pass it and then it would pass me and slow down. I hope someone can do something about all these bad drivers in trucks. They should make drivers of trucks take special training and get some kind of special drivers lic.
17 I-20 East Bound between Eden and Pell City. 1/19/05 4-5pm 18-wheeler enclosed box trailer "In a construction zone that was posted for trucks to use the left lane. The semi moved over into the right lane forcing me into a guard rail, pulled me along the guard rail to the end and forced me off the road. The pickup I was driving was totaled. I fill it was only through the hand of God that I was not killed."
18 I-20 W exit Bessmer (109) white SUV "Reporting... SUV... cut off this trucker."
19 I-20/59 @ I-459   "Three trucks owned by [ truck company name] dump trailers, no real bumpers, no visible tail/brake lights, no visible tag... "
20 I-20W between Riverside & Brompton 3/16/05 6-7am 18 wheeler box trailer "semi traveling in a construction zone was weaving between the left and right lane, speed varied from bout 45 to 65 MPH"
21 I-20W to 459 4/11/05   "Reporting unsafe truck... going 80mph on ramp... passed him on right side of road in emergency lane. Please report this - send bumper stickers"
22 I459N near Hwy 150 exit, Hoover, AL 4/12/05 7-8am 18 wheeler enclosed box trailer "tailgating (within one car length of vehicle) sudden lane change
23 I50N 4/18/05 6-7am 18 wheeler open top coal/dirt/rock trailer appeared to be empty "sudden/abrupt lane-changed in front of others"
24 I-59 North downtown Birmingham, I-59 North 4/14/05 11:00am   "Speeding over 70mph in downtown B'ham
25 I-59/20 west of Tuscaloosa and into the city mile marker 65-75 4/18/05 7-8pm 18 Wheeler enclosed box trailer "tailgating @ 80mph after passing, this vehicle exceeded 90 several times
26 I59N just past exit 97 4/18/05 7am 18 wheeler enclosed box trailer "ran off shoulder, weaved several times"
27 I-65 18 wheeler "... an 18 wheeler came up beside her, hit her, went all the way down the side of her car continuing on down the interstate, pushed her into the median, and she went across and hit a truck head-on. The truck driver that caused the wreck went about 1/2 mile up the interstate, pulled over, got out to check his rig, got back in and left the scene. No one got his tag #. She was in bed for 4 months and the other driver of the smaller truck was hurt worse than she was. Today she is still afraid to get out and drive, especially when she gets near 18 wheelers. Said she would be glad to share her ordeal to keep others safe. Feel free to call her and get more details."
28 I-65 at Warrior Rd. 3/14/05 7-8am 18 wheeler flat bed covered with tarp "I merged onto I-65, I had increased my speed to about 65mph when I saw headlights coming up fast in my rearview mirror at high rate of speed. Then he got on my bumper and set down on his horn. I hit the gas and pulled away, we were going up a hill at the time when he caught up with me cut over in my lane, almost hitting me..."
29 I-65 before Montgomery double trailer "Reported... Driving fast pulled over in his lane almost hit him."
30 I-65 near Alabaster from Marion Co, exit @ Calera 3/7/05 9-10am dump "... inside lane passing a slower vehicle, cruise set @ 70, 3 dump trucks come up behind, very close, blowing horn for him to move over. He does, trucks roar past, he speeds up to try to determine their speed. At 80mph, he can't catch them and backs off. They exit at Calera...???"
31 I-65 south towards Pelham/Alabaster near Valleydale Rd. intersection & 252 exit 1/3/5 or 1/4/5 11am 18 wheeler I was driving 65 south towards Pelham/Alabaster and I was nearing the Valleydale Rd. intersection. I was in the left lane and looked up and saw an 18-wheeler approx. 5-6 feet off my bumper. We were heading up the incline at that intersection, so I lightly tapped my brakes and kept my foot on the gas to signal to him to give me some room. If I could have moved out of his way, I would have, but the other lanes were full of cars, I had nowhere to go. I finally got some distance between us because it is such a steep incline there. I never thought twice about it. Next thing I know, I was pulling off of Exit 252, (the tank farm exit), and just happened to look in my rearview mirror and saw this same truck right on my bumper again. Then I heard a door slam. This truck driver actually got out of his truck and tried to pull my door open and started beating on my passenger side window. Luckily I keep my doors locked. He was screaming obscenities at me and trying to get me to get out of my car. Some people coming across the bridge on Highway 52 saw what was going on and let me pull out in traffic to get away from him. I never saw the trucking company or got any plate numbers because I was in front of him. I didn't know who to report it to. So maybe someone else saw what was going on and reported it.
32 I-65S between Alabaster & Calera 6am Just and FYI... If you want to catch some SPEEDING Truck drivers, put some troopers and cops on I-65 South between Alabaster and Calera during 6:00am-thru. You will be sure to catch one every morning. I go this route to work each day. I put the car on cruse-control and have truckers passing me while I am on 70mph. I have even been in the fast lane on cruse and had to speed up to get over because they are pushing me out of the way. I have stayed up to 80mph when one was passing me. They are going too fast. There is no way they can stop if they needed to.
33 I-85 east Montgomery "trucks were going around 80mph... 55mph zone"
34 Light & Gainer Rds, Eight Mile, AL Garbage garbage "Her brother was killed in wreck w/dump truck @ intersection of Light & Gainer Rds. In Eight Mile, AL. Later the same day, two dumps were seen passing each other in same area (no passing zone). Many trucks travel at high rates of speed -- curvy road; new high school about to open in this area."
35 Madison Blvd. in Madison 3/16/05 10am roll off truck Trash Dumpster Trash coming out of the dumpster going down the road. Truck looks very old and worn with questionable mechanical problems. I would check inspection reports.
36 N 411 18 wheeler "Reporting reckless truck driver... tailgating passing cars on double yellow line"
37 N of Mercedes, I-35N past construction zone 4/1/05 7-8am 18 wheeler standard enclosed trailer "I was in the middle lane of 3 lanes doing 65 in moderate traffic and rain. posted speed is 55, but most traffic does 70 as this is past the construction zone. truck approached rapidly from behind, flashing his lights. when he got within one car length from me, he made a sudden lane change to the left, then another sudden lane change just as he past me. he then continued northbound faster than me, following other vehicles closely."
38 Old Gadsden Hwy coming out of Trussville & Roabuck dump trucks, commercial trucks "Works for [ truck company name] - they deliver auto parts to dealers... wants to report... speeding and driving recklessly... fly up & down... they already had 3 major wrecks. Police are patrolling a little more but the trucks find ways to get around them. Please call them back to give them some information on what they can do to help!"
39 Prattville, AL toll road over AL river coming into Prattville, AL gravel, logging "(So glad we have this.) Report: ... gravel trucks do not have tarps; gravel falling off because of it & also speeding. Logging trucks speeding on this road also. *Does AL have law requiring tarp over trailers, where loads might fall out of truck?"
40 Tarrant City, AL   Trash "Employee is who she spoke with at company, after one of their trucks busted out her windshield from slinging grade?? After running off the road. Employee said their company was above being restrained by gov. law and that she could call all the 800's she wanted to, but the gov. wasn't going to do crap! *Trash Trucks hauling without canvas to cover cargo. Debris falling out of truck and hitting cars, littering highways."
41 Not reported Class A - Commercial Vehicle Glad to see someone out there is starting to take action. This industry is in major need of reform. The mental attitude of the truck driver has deteriorated over the years. Companies are recruiting drivers that, couldn't maintain any other jobs in the normal sector of life. To prove the mentality of what I'm saying, just turn on any C.B Radio and listen to the driver, behind the wheel driving next to your family. The attitude out here is, the other driver has to prove he can drive faster than the other. Listening to a radio show the other day, they were interviewing a couple drivers from England, there trucks [ truck company name] are regulated at 56MPH, and there is a card the in inserted behind the tachometer that records the speed thorough out the day. If stopped by a Law Officer, the driver can be issued a ticket if the recorder shows over 56 MPH. I had witnessed the other day a driver approaching a construction site, running about 15 Mph over the posted speed in the left lane, notice was given for everybody to be in the right lane, posted speed limit was 50 MPH. As he ran the left lane all the way up to the front, he then crossed over the center lane divider, and forced another 18 wheeler onto the shoulder. He said his brakes didn't work. As far as I see it as a commercial driver for almost 20 years, regulations need to be stricter, more enforcement, and tougher exams for qualification. Maybe we need to lower the reckless driving speed from 15 MPH to 10 MPH over the posted limit. Maybe Alabama can get a law passed, were as if a driver receives more than 2 tickets ( moving and non moving) in your state, before being allowed to drive in your state again he must attend a state approved safety class before being reinstated. Just A Thought. Best Regards!
42 Not reported Coal trucks "... school traffic, trucks go 70-80mph... Has assembled 2 petitions, sent to the state/ no avail, had 300 names. Please help, needs to know who to talk to or where to go next"
43 Not reported   Mexican trucks no required to meet same standards as US trucks; public education about big rigs (driving safely around them, stopping distance, etc.) says worse drivers are with [ truck company names], -- spend 2 weeks in classes, 2 weeks with trainers, then on the road on their own. Not opposed to lane restrictions - just don't make it right lane only."
44 Not reported "[ truck company name] is hiring drivers for their rigs & they do not have CDL license. He personally knows of a 26 yr. Old driving for [ truck company name] (Hauling for Honda Plant) that has no license. Wants to push for better qualifications on CDL testing. *OK to call for any more info"
45 Not reported logging trucks/trailers and coal trucks/trailers "He's a retired claims adjuster - says logging trucks/trailers and coal trucks/trailers are not required to have mudflaps - they are considered "off-road" vehicles - mudflaps should be required on all trucks and trailers. State of FL does not allow cracked windshields, state will replace."
46 Not reported "Positive response, friend killed by big rig" "I am not sure of your motivation, but I appreciate the sponsorship of unsafetrucks.org I have been in communication with Gov Riley and AL-DOT regarding the issue. In a letter from Gov Riley, I was referred to Col. Coppage, Dir of AL Pub. Safety. Aggressive trucks that take lives should be charged with manslaughter. I had a friend die recently from a truck that could not stop at a red light. He left 5 kids and a wife because of a load of rock that was in a hurry. I hope you legally punish violators to the fullest extent the courts will allow."
47 Not reported "Glad you are doing something about unsafe trucks. But think about some of the truckers who did not make it home because somebody in the cars that have cut the truckers off the road & never looked. Think about."

 

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