Pinetown crash...... :(

[to0kenZA]

Heard an ex-truck driver comment on the radio this morning that a lot of these accidents happen because truck drivers aren't trained properly. Apparently they do not use their gearbox for engine braking but use their brakes, which heat up, become useless and are not at your disposal when you really need them.

Very sad though.

<rant>

What is also sad are the comments on that video. Why people feel the need to start a "religious" war there nobody knows. So fekking WHAT if the woman commented a prayer. What is it to you you fekking chop!

</rant>

Welcome to Youtube and the Internet bro.

Most of the youtube videos are all littered with religious bible bashing like that.

As for the video, sad stuff I don't really know what to say. This country and planet is just getting worse by the day. The fact that our government just shrugs it off so lightly is just as alarming as the video itself.

[HavocXphere]

Could someone explain to me how failing brakes lead to a charge of "reckless and negligent driving"?

That being said...we really need our traffic authorities to pull their thumbs out of their asses and do something about unroadworthy rust-buckets...instead of spending all their time collecting cash from merc drivers.

[Avatar]

Could someone explain to me how failing brakes lead to a charge of "reckless and negligent driving"?

That being said...we really need our traffic authorities to pull their thumbs out of their asses and do something about unroadworthy rust-buckets...instead of spending all their time collecting cash from merc drivers.

Improper driving leads to overheating brakes, which then expands so much that they don't even touch the friction material, in effect giving absolutely no braking power whatsoever. Essentially what happened with the spate of runaway trucks in Pta around 2005-2006. The correct way of braking a truck on a downhill section is to put the vehicle in to a lower gear, so that the engine brakes the vehicle.

[Mephisto_Helix]

My mom came through there, the other way, about 10-15 minutes before ........ geezuz

[to0kenZA]

My mom came through there, the other way, about 10-15 minutes before ........ geezuz

Just shows you bru. Life is a gamble. Wrong place, wrong time and you could be dead!

[MOnk]

My mom came through there, the other way, about 10-15 minutes before ........ geezuz

I drive field's hill all the time and watching that video made me physically ill.

[HavocXphere]

Improper driving leads to overheating brakes, which then expands so much that they don't even touch the friction material, in effect giving absolutely no braking power whatsoever. Essentially what happened with the spate of runaway trucks in Pta around 2005-2006. The correct way of braking a truck on a downhill section is to put the vehicle in to a lower gear, so that the engine brakes the vehicle.

Interesting, but not really relevant unless there is some hint suggesting that the above might have occurred. e.g. Thats a traffic light...were not exactly talking mountain pass with kilometers of heavy braking.

I totally get that your scenario is possible. But so is simple mechanical failure. You can't just arrest someone on the off chance that one of the possible scenarios is reckless.

Maybe the cops known something that isn't in the article. Who knows. All I'm saying is those charges seem mighty sketchy based on what little we know.

[MOnk]

Interesting, but not really relevant unless there is some hint suggesting that the above might have occurred. e.g. Thats a traffic light...were not exactly talking mountain pass with kilometers of heavy braking.

Um, that is the at the bottom of Field's Hill, so yes it is 1-2km of downhill.

[Tsar]

Wow. What a way to go prob didn't even feel it. That blue car just vanished. Stupid motherfer who was driving.

[HavocXphere]

Um, that is the at the bottom of Field's Hill, so yes it is 1-2km of downhill.

I see. I'll concede all relevant points then.

Still don't think it lines up though. Think about it from a driver's perspective. He has grade 10 qualification. Used to be a gardener [*]. Got instructions to make the trip in 3 hours or lose the job supporting his 7 children. Solid guy as he might be - do you really think this guy is going to inspect the brakes? Assuming he would think of inspecting the brakes, could he do so? Nope. And now he gets charged for culpable homicide?

* OT / story time. This one day a truck rocks up at our house. I was like 14 y/o...so exciting stuff... Turns out the driver used to be my dad's gardener. My dad decided that this guy learns fast & sent him for him to test for a commercial trucking license. This being pre 1994...respect++ for dad.