VSP Reacts to Interstate 81 Crash
*** A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Rockingham, Augusta, Shenandoah, Hardy, Page, Warren, Clarke, and Frederick until 8 p.m. Wednesday. 1" - 3" of snow are possible, with the heaviest snowfall in the mid afternoon. Snow could stick on untreated roads. Drive with Caution. *** *** A Winter Weather Advisoryis in effect for Highland, Pendleton, and Grant counties until 10 p.m. Wednesday. 2" - 4" of snow are possible, with the heaviest snowfall in the mid morning through the afternoon. Snow will likely stick to many untreated roads and visibility will be reduced. Drive with Caution. ***
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Updated: 2:57 PM Oct 21, 2009
VSP Reacts to Interstate 81 Crash
Rockingham County
Virginia State Police say the tractor trailer driver who crashed on Interstate 81 Monday night will be charged with reckless driving.
Posted: 12:22 PM Oct 20, 2009
Reporter: Ed Drantch
Email Address: edrantch@whsv.com
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Virginia State Police say the tractor trailer driver who crashed on Interstate 81 Monday night will be charged with reckless driving.

VSP Sgt. Bryan Hutcheson says it's important drivers be awake and alert, especially at night and in the early morning.

The truck driver, Alan Reap, says he simply fell asleep.

State police say drivers are not allowed to pull over to the shoulder to sleep, which means they should find a convenience store, get a drink or some fresh air.

State police say the closed rest stops are an issue because drivers have fewer places to legally stop. The crash Monday night is a serious example of why drivers should plan stops before hitting the road.

"It's a very big deal. In this instance, it's a wonder that it didn't turn out any worse than it did. The driver of the tractor trailer did fall asleep, woke up and saw the car, fortunately in time to take an evasive maneuver, and prevent a really major collision," says Hutcheson.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says rest stops in the Valley are now spaced about two hours apart. Many closed as a result of a $4.6-billion budget shortfall.

VDOT officials say drivers need to take responsibility to avoid distractions, including getting the rest they need.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Insider Location: Harrisonburg on Oct 25, 2009 at 03:12 PM

Truckers wife. You got it sister. Companies are the problem and all those good deals at the store. People want and want. They don't care how it gets there. Some like to cuss drivers out too, when they delivering. State Police wont do anything either. Virginia is not a "common wealth" it is an "Aristocracy." Good old Virginny! Money , money! Just a few more Indentured servants Aa!
Posted by: Insider Location: Harrisonburg on Oct 21, 2009 at 07:01 PM

Continued...4. Companies can trap drivers into places where they almost have to drive to get home. In my opinion some drivers are actually stuck in a form of slave labor its like a coal mine. 5. Some drivers are simply greedy. 6. You can help. Truck drivers CANNOT see you! Don’t draft, a tire can kill you. Gas tanks are blind spots grey, black or dark cars blend into the highway at night. A car can drive faster than a truck so GET UP TO SPEED when you enter freeway. Never insist on the right away! 7. Drivers do not get the same support from work laws because they travel state to state. Create an amnesty program for drivers , maybe they can help!
Posted by: Insider Location: Harrisonburg, VA on Oct 21, 2009 at 07:00 PM

Truck stops do need to stay open. This is true. However, there are other reasons these wrecks happen. 1. Companies push drivers over the limit out of pure greed (in my opinion). They know full well when drivers are over the limit. They have documents that would reveal travel distance ect. They don't care! Its all about money. Go after driving companies as well as the companies that have them carry their cargo. They will think twice about who they contract with! 2. When a driver is caught or fined companies use this to there advantage by taking money from the employee, even when the employer knows what is going on. The employee then has to work extra hard to re compensate the losses. The employer then has a means to extort the drivers into doing things they would not normally do. So when and officer uses a trap to ticket a driver the end result could be further deadly consequences. Make the company pay. They make the money, its their freight but its our life.
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