Wall E, did you get caught in this?

http://7ny.tv/1Ou6O5e

Driver on the TappenZee bridge taps brakes to avoid overturning semi. Resultant chaos apparently shuts down the bridge for most of the day.

I wonder shat the cost of something like this is? Between the actual accident, damage and cleanup. The cost to the economy of having that bridge ship down for several hours and all the workers who couldn't get to their destinations.

Was Chris Christie seen in the area?

It was quite a mess. Being closed most of the day it forced traffic to take other bridges and tunnels through the area. The amount of overtime paid to workers stuck in it or money lost by people paid by the mile or who gave up and took the day off after hours commuting has to be incredible.

I ended up working an extra two hours to cover for my relief who's normal 35 minute commute took close to three hours. When I left my ride home only took an extra hour and a half.

glad nobody got killed in that..

but this also highlights comething the Doctor did.. he didn't want to travel so close to the semi, so he tapped the brakes to get behind it... for the love of all that is holy.. do NOT travel next to a semi on the highway. You never know if a mechanical failure or a need to quickly change lanes could see the driver needing to take your lane now. Never ever linger next to one of these trucks

That bridge is a E36 M3show on the best of days. I'd rather swim.

In reply to mad_machine:

I probably confuse people on the freeway. I always hang back until there is room to completely pass a semi, then accelerate to make the pass as quickly as practical, then slow back down to the speed I want to maintain. Usually I do so thinking the semi might need to change lanes, not expecting it to tip over.

Also, if your on the highway, especially in the middle of nowhere, at night, and a semi signals a lane change, flick your lights off and on. It indicates a clear path. Likewise, flash the brights if it is obstructed.

To me, it's one of the greatest complements to have a trucker dip his light in thanks.

mad_machine wrote: glad nobody got killed in that.. but this also highlights comething the Doctor did.. he didn't want to travel so close to the semi, so he tapped the brakes to get behind it... for the love of all that is holy.. do NOT travel next to a semi on the highway. You never know if a mechanical failure or a need to quickly change lanes could see the driver needing to take your lane now. Never ever linger next to one of these trucks

Same goes for just about any trailer. When I'm running on the interstate with my two-car trailer, I'm 50' long and weigh about 8 tons. Not much compared to a semi, but my options are a lot more limited than your typical minivan if something exciting happens.

Looks like his rear axle assembly broke off the trailer prior to the accident? I too hate being next to those trucks... either infront or behind.. never next too. Glad everyone walked away from this!

In reply to Appleseed:

As a former truck driver, Please don't flash your brights. Especially when you are in the middle of nowhere and its dark as can be.

What is the first thing you do after you signal to turn? You look in the mirror. If you flash your brights, all the driver can now see is a bright white flash until his vision clears. Now, 40 tons of rolling death machine is being controlled by a blind man. Just leave your lights alone. We can see you.

Thanks.

To be fair, I've never had to do it (high beams). The truckers I "helped" weren't the types to dive bomb the next lane.

never flash your lights as thunder said.. but you can turn them off and on to let the driver know it is safe to pull in ahead of you