DANGEROUS TRUCK DRIVER

February 8, 2021

U.S. Department of Transportation

Director, Office of Enforcement and Compliance

Golden Hills Office Centre
12600 W. Colfax Ave. Suite B-300
Lakewood, CO 80215 

Sir/Madam:

The purpose of the correspondence is to file this formal complaint and report the dangerous and potentially fatal operation of a (---) Road Transport, Inc., eighteen wheel truck and flatbed trailer. I have uploaded videos of this event to a YouTube channel (below)as material evidence.   

I was almost killed by a (---) Road Transport, Inc., truckdriver yesterday while riding my bicycle on a remote Arizona road.

YOUTUBE VIDEO FROM BEHIND:

  Truck Coming From Behind

 - 0:03:12 on video

YOUTUBE VIDEO FROM THE FRONT:

Truck Cutting Me Off In Front

                     - 0:03:20 on video

It was a bright, sunny afternoon with no weather-related problems.  There was no observable traffic coming in the opposite lane.  The driver dangerously entered the opposite lane, crossing a double yellow line, on a blind uphill curve, restricting vision / observation as to whether there was an oncoming vehicle in the other lane.  

I was dressed in bright, hi viz, iridescent yellow cycling clothes. I wore bright white knee length socks as my legs went up and down on the pedals. 

The bike had three (3) bright, flashing white and red strobe lights rear-facing, and one (1) bright white front-facing strobe lights.  

I was traveling at 30 mph, having just descended a steep hill, as far to the right as possible without being forced off the road into guard rail and steep ditch. 

A (---) Road Transport, Inc., Cab # 2677 18 wheeled flatbed truck was hauling steel railroad rails to Kirkland, Arizona.  (At 0:03:26​ on video).  It was traveling eastbound on Yavapai County Road 15 (Bagdad Road) on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at 2:30 PM. 

 
The truckdriver, traveling in excess of the stated speed limit (50 mph), pulled within three (3) feet of me from behind on bicycle. He then abruptly crossed into the opposite lane on a blind uphill curve, and then sharply cut back into the eastbound lane with the truck trailer within one (1) foot of hitting me. 

No traffic was observable by me on the limited observable section of the blind uphill curve in opposite lane. No vehicles were behind the truck. No vehicles were in front of me.  The limited observable road appeared free of traffic or any obstructions or impediments.

I am requesting that you investigate this incident to determine if there were actions on the part of the driver that were not lawful and were dangerous.  I will fully comply with any requests you make of me in this investigation.

• Truckdriver in CAB # 2677.
• Cab License Plate: PA10743 (Issuing State not readable)
• Trailer License Plates: 9194SU (Alaska?); TA09934 (Issuing State not readable)
• USDOT No.: 30161

Attachment: USDOT Correspondence: Review No.: 837404/CR, November 12, 2010.
 
CC:   

U.S. Department of Transportation
Director, Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590

SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME:

This morning (less than 30 hours after I contacted the corporate headquarters of the (---) Road Transport, Inc. in Copenhagen, Denmark) I received this email:

Mr. Fallon

I received the email below from our corporate office. Please know that we have reviewed the video, we have identified the contractor/driver and we have issued cancellation of his lease agreement.

 

Please accept our apologies for his actions and know that we take safety very seriously.

 

I would like to request that you remove the Youtube video. One guy's action is not reflective of the entire fleet's behavior and it is a detrimental to the remainder of our contractors.

 

If you would like to discuss further, feel free to give me a call at your convenience. 

 

Best regards,

 

(Name)

Manager of Safety

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I've removed the name of the truck company but these videos can be very useful in advocacy to make the roads safer.  Ideally, all roads should include a wide shoulder on both sides for non-motorized travel, including running, walking, cycling.