I-75 South in Pasco closed after trucks crash

Update: Due to the damage to the road, the southbound lanes are expected to remain closed until at least 6 p.m., troopers said. Asphalt must be replaced.

Southbound traffic on Interstate 75 in Pasco County is shut down this morning after a fiery crash involving a semitrailer and dump truck near State Road 56.

Neither driver was injured, troopers said.

Southbound lanes are expected to remain closed until noon, troopers said.

Motorists will be diverted onto State Road 54 (exit 279). Traffic south of that exit and north of the crash will be diverted back to State Road 54 or southbound on the shoulder to State 56 to exit.

Other motorists should avoid roads in the area.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash occurred about 6:30 a.m.

According to investigators, the tractor-trailer was traveling south in the outside lane of I-75 in a construction zone, where it collided with a crash attenuator, troopers said.

The collision caused the truck to partially jackknife and collide with the center median guardrail, troopers said.

The dump truck, traveling behind the tractor-trailer, was unable to stop or avoid a collision, striking the rear of the tractor-trailer, troopers said.

Both drivers were able to exit their vehicles before a fire erupted on the tractor-trailer.

The tractor-trailer, operated by Pat Salmon & Sons of Jacksonville, was transporting mail, troopers said.
 

Put the phone down!

Although it was already against the law for truck drivers to use their cell phones while driving, many states don’t have the same law for regular commuters. I have to say I don’t quite understand why the FMSCA thought it was a good idea to ban cell phone use for truck drivers but some states have yet to implement the law on everyone else, but I digress.

It came out a few days ago that Alabama is now the 38^th state to prohibit texting behind the wheel. The new law signed by Gov. Robert Bentley takes effect on Aug. 1, and violators will be fined $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense and $75 for a third or subsequent offense. Pretty cheap tickets for such a dangerous act, but it’s a start. Just like speeding tickets, I’m sure it will rise over time.

The thing that worries me is how do you catch someone? Of course if you’re driving and someone rear-ends you and openly admits they were on their phone they can get a ticket, but what about everything else? Are police just supposed to look at drivers on the road and see if their phones are out? And I have a bad feeling that this could make it worse.. People who text and drive generally hold their phone right in front of their face so they can glance back and forth from the phone to the road quickly. Stupid yes, but painfully obvious their texting to passersby. Simply making it a new law may prevent some drivers from texting, but what will the others do? They will now hide their phones in their lap so you can’t see what they’re doing – it will just look like their looking down. But if they’re looking down, then they have even more ground to cover from their lap back to the road in front of them.

Personally, I think they should ban ALL cell phone use while on the road and you can only talk if you have a hands-free set. That way there is no discretion and it becomes more difficult to hide what you’re doing. Have your phone out when you’re driving = ticket. The changing of technology has to mean the changing of roadway laws. We should want our roads as safe as possible, and cell phones have no place in a driver’s hands.

Several crashes in Tampa on Interstate 275

Interstate 275 in Tampa was closed for hours today when several vehicles were involved in two crashes.

At 12:18 p.m., four vehicles crashed on I-275 southbound mile marker 46, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Three of the vehicles were Hyundai Sonatas and the other was a Nissan Maxima.

The drivers were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa with minor injuries and the at-fault driver was cited for careless driving, according to the FHP.

The roadway was re-opened at 2:04 p.m.

Then, at 12:53 p.m., three vehicles crashed also on I-275 southbound near Fowler Avenue.  This crash involved a Nissan, Honda and Toyota. There were no injuries. One driver was cited for careless driving.

The highway reopened at 1:36 p.m.

Story from TBO.com

Back That Thang Up

With the increasing number of vehicles on the road, car driving safety has become extremely important. In 2009, there were close to 34,000 highway deaths.

I want to take a minute to talk about one of the most common problems associated with driving - hitting/backing into an inanimate object.

According to the National Safety Council, one of out four vehicle accidents can be blamed on poor backing techniques.

It happens so often. You’re backing out of a parking spot not even thinking and—SMASH! You back right into a shopping cart. The majority of the time these types of accidents are completely avoidable. Here are a few minor precautions you can take to avoid backing into someone or something.

Þ Get to know your vehicles blind spots. Remember that mirrors can never give the whole picture when backing up.

Þ Think in advance. Don’t put yourself into unnecessary backing situation.

Þ Park defensively. Chose easy-exit parking spaces that don’t crowd neighboring vehicles.

Þ Every backing situation is new and different. Even when visiting the same place repeatedly, be watchful of changes and new obstacles.

Þ Use a spotter. Have someone else help you and give hand signals to help with backing up.

Þ Do a walk-around. When in doubt, get out of the vehicle and completely walk around it. Walking around a vehicle can give a firsthand view of the backing area and any limitations. Check for children, soft or muddy areas, potholes, tire hazards and other dangers. Remember GOAL! Get Out And Look!

For here driving safety tips click here http://www.carinsurancequotes.net/resources/car-driving-safety-tips/

Devastating Crash in Florida on I-75

After having a rather eventful weekend in Tampa for the Gasparilla celebration, I had a friend visiting from Atlanta and he left bright and early Sunday morning around 10 a.m. to head back home. After speaking to him again at 4 p.m., I was baffled to find out he was not only still in Florida, he had just passed Gainesville in a very confusing detour off I-75 through side roads, then eventually back on the interstate. My curiosity got me wondering and I began scouring Google to find out what the holdup was. Then I saw the pictures…

One of the most horrible things that can happen on a highway happened early yesterday morning. Living in Florida, and more importantly Gainesville for many years, the crash hits very close to home. The wreck happened after a long line of cars and trucks collided before dawn Sunday on a stretch of Interstate 75 south of Gainesville. The highway was closed Saturday night because of blinding fog and smoke that caused a three-way crash, and then reopened before the chain collisions started around 3:45 a.m. Never have I seen anything quite like the photos. At least a dozen cars and six tractor-trailers were involved, and some burst into flames. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of these crash victims.

Read the story here:

http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/jan/30/1/i-75-pileup-witness-it-looked-like-the-end-of-the--ar-352882/