As a truck driver, I cringe when I hear of accidents where someone has been killed or injured.

Last week there was a runaway truck on I-70 west of Denver, that slammed into several stopped cars and 4 other semi trucks, killing 4 motorist and injuring several others after losing his brakes going down a steep grade.

This morning, I am in Jasper, AL and just heard that a mechanic was changing a tire on a semi truck, just west of Jasper on I-22, he was hit by a passing truck and was killed. This happened about 5 hours ago. Another truck diver saw it happen. He said that the truck didn't change lanes. Alabama has the "move over law", which this driver did not move over, or slow to a safer speed.

I am in no way saying accident don't happen and I know I am not a perfect driver, but here are two good cases where drivers now days, may not be training properly or their driving skills are not adequate enough to drive a semi truck. We are losing the most qualified drivers, because the regulations are rapidly changing and the companies are hiring anyone with a CD (Commercial Drivers' License).

Talking with a State Trooper, who was securing the truck here at the truck stop. He said the driver of the truck had only been driving on his own for about 2 months by himself and being trained for 4 weeks with a trainer. I feel awful for both the mechanic, his family and the driver, because he has to live with this for the rest of life.

Like last this accident last week's accident in Denver, the truck driver only had been driving about one year.

I have been driving for 35 years, done some stupid things that could have been bad in the end, but I also had 3 years of training, my father, the Army and a some old timers that I worked for! That's was before I was turned loose on my own.

My final thoughts, are we living in a world where everyone is in a hurry? Yes, because we want everything now. Is there a remedy for this? Yes, but I don't see it happening.

My heart and prayers go out to all those people who lost their lives.