Eight Seconds: One Fatal Distraction
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- It’s a story about eight seconds that forever changed the lives of two families. Eight seconds a distracted driver wishes he could take back.
In the Minnesota Department of Public Safety video, “Eight Seconds: One Fatal Distraction," Sam Hicks discusses the moments leading up to the fatal crash that
took the life of 54-year old Robert Bursik and the message he wants to share with drivers.
On Feb. 27, 2018, Hicks was driving on Highway 36 when he looked down at his phone for eight seconds after receiving a text from his girlfriend at the time about
a house listing. Hicks says, “I do pray people learn from my mistake and avoid distracted driving!”
Bursik was a husband and father of three at the time he died. Bursik’s wife and daughter are also featured in the video.
This video should be required viewing in every drivers' training course. Very powerful story and so sad,
Just so you know, HUB group uses it in part of their training. Is a great wakeup call for every driver, not just 18 wheelers but ALL drivers.
@@032010alex Thanks for the info!
JB Hunt used it in part of their training this year as well.
As of 2/4/2021 XPO Logistics is now requiring all of us drivers to watch this. This video was tough to sit through and for sure should be watched by more drivers.
Long haul is making this part of our on going safety training!! As a driver and father and grandfather I wish all companies would make it mandatory for driver training !!!!
I am a Truck Driver. We are required to watch this video as part of our Quarterly Safety. The first time I watched it, it brought me to tears. My heart goes out... so much.. to everyone involved. Today we have "hands-free" blue tooth technology that allows us to hear audibly GPS directions to locations through the Truck's stereo as well as being able to answer the phone from our steering wheel, and speak into the air (just like you can in your car) to have a hands-free phone conversation. We always plan our trips before we leave the yard. Texting and any other phone interaction is now strictly prohibited, and grounds for immediate termination. ... and, frankly, not a practice that any of us want to engage in after all that we have seen. Rob Bursik will live on forever... teaching all of us to drive safer.
Watching this video and learning from it is the one sliver lining to take from this. I can't imagine the absolute horror of that truck driver when he realized what he'd done. Even from a distance, he had to know by looking at that vehicle that survival for any occupants was impossible. There won't be a day in the rest of his life he won't think about this.
I am a truck driver too. My eyes welled up. And that's not something that happens too often. Devastating for the families. And a horrible life to live knowing that you can't take it back. Sad story.
Truck drivers have my utmost respect. You are needed and so important, maybe more than anyone that uses the road way. I appreciate your safety while doing such an important job. I do my very most to be responsible and helpful to you on the roadway. I stay back far enough so you can always see me. I always give you the distance and respect you need to do your job safely. Thank you Truck Drivers.
There is not suppose to be a black community
@@captaindrywall I am not exactly sure what your point is here, but it is an inappropriate statement, and totally irrelevant to the subject matter at hand. Reported to Google for further evaluation.
Rob Bursik was my classmate. MHS class of '82. UW-Eau Claire Blugold. Thank you for making this video and honoring Rob and his family. May it guide others in making smarter decisions. Mr. Hicks, thank you for participating and making sure that Rob's life has an impact beyond the grave. He was a terrific human being!
I'm a truck driver, and i'm watching a video on this accident, as part of our quarterly training, this is the first time a training video made me cry.
I hate texting as a principal, I tell everyone, if you need to tell me something call me, do not be surprised if i take 3 days in responding a text. i will never text while driving.
I just wanted to extend my condolences to the Bursik family, if you could do that for me, i would appreciate it. Thank you, and sorry for your loss.
this video needs more views...
It should be viral.
At least he's remorseful. So often I come across drivers that reside in the left lane and watch TV or read their phones...Beep at them and they go nuts.
Please please always look at your rear view mirror when your stopped at a light. Don’t be afraid to drive through that red light if you see a vehicle coming up behind you not stopping. Watch the other traffic and always practice what you would do if such and such happens. It will prepare you incase it happens. It has saved me before.
I always do this and sometimes I’ve actually almost had to run a light when someone got close. Great advice
This deserves 100 million views.
So sorry for your loss. :(
I drove by this accident that day and it was terrible to see. I will never forget it
Always my worst fear as a driver. Point being that I never have or never will drive ANY vehicle without having my full attention on the road and other vehicles on it. Many years of Heavy Haul/Oversize will give a real perspective on the dangers and consequences of a big truck vs car collision, the car will lose that battle every time. I feel so bad for Mr. Bursik's family for their loss. Also, I feel badly for this young driver, he is obviously remorseful for his actions, but there's no rewind available here, he will have to live with this for the rest of his life. Very powerful video, it had to be difficult for Mr. Hicks to make it, but it was the right thing to do, if it hits home for even 1 driver to not drive distracted, it's worth the effort and pain.
Currently in school working on my CDL. We had to watch this video. I was in tears. From the day, I refuse to text and drive. I would never want to be responsible for taking someone else’s life in that matter.
Now if we can just get the 4 wheeler's to do the same.
I mostly see the 4 wheelers doing it and I've been out here 13 years so far it's amazing how many almost hit me. I've even seen some texting and driving with there legs. It seems almost no one is listening until it's too late.
At 63 MPH you travel 739.2 feet in 8 seconds.
That’s 92ft per second
@@elizensiado4130 92.4. Lol
Wow, this is educational and heartbreaking
Heartbreakingly powerful. I can only hope your sacrifice and your message saves lives.
This video has made a big impact in my driving career and I can’t imagine the pain on both sides of the families . I drove for 7 years trucking all over the US and now I lead the safety program at a major transportation company and use this video as an eye opener for my drivers to better understand that small things can make BIG impacts.
This is why driving is more important than using a cell phone behind the wheel
No it's not
@@Twitchems Yes it is, this documentary is proof
@@Twitchems focusing on driving and the road is 100000000% more important than looking at your phone while driving… like the video says… even if you only look down for a mear 8 seconds you could put someone else’s life at risk and could change not only your life but the life on that person’s family.
As a former Safety Director, and a truck driver, I've told people before:
At 60 mph, close your eyes for 5 seconds. It'll scare you to death. Yet you're doing the same thing with that phone in your hand.
I wouldn't recommend your drivers do this. But as a passenger do it and you're right 8 second or even 5 is a life time with your eyes closed.
I'm a truckdriver and I still see it every day. They should know about the danger so I'm guessing they just don't care.
Prayers for all those involved.
I’m so sorry your family is going through this. 8seconds is a long time. No ones life is worth a text. I pray for you all and God bless!💚
thank you for making this heart braking video. I am in charge of driver training and driver safety at the company I work at. My next driver safety meeting I had planned to discuss phone use and seatbelts. I will now show this video at the meeting and to my drivers as part of the ongoing safety training. My deepest condolences to Rob's family.
Love and strength, Jaci.
This video really touched me as a professional driver. This can happen to civilian vehicle drivers as well. All it takes is 8 seconds... As a professional driver, we should be checking our mirrors every 8 seconds. How could you be looking at your phone for 8 seconds? I see drivers all day every day on the road and that's not only professional drivers... Civilian drivers as well. It's not only phones, I catch myself looking at houses, buildings, landscapes sometimes too long, but I'm always aware. (Knock on wood I have an excellent driving record... not bragging. It's for the police.) Be safe in vehicles... we cover a lot of distance in 8 seconds. You can possibly change your life and someone else's. And robot trucks will not solve this problem... We're not even somewhat close to making this happen, cause computers will malfunction. Just like your computer or phone shuts off when you don't ask it to. Imagine a vehicle doing that...
It’s sad because now you see a bunch of people everywhere you go, driving while on there phones. People need to pay attention while on the road. They can harm loved ones. Just watching this was sad😢. It hurts seeing this man. May those who lost there life to those who are driving distracted R.I.P🕊❤️
Props to Sam for taking responsibility. My heart felt condolences to the family... We need stricter laws across the country.
Sadly, we could pass all the laws they want but people will still be on their damn phones. I drive a truck locally and it amazes me how much people put their phones over the lives on the road.
This is heart breaking from both perspectives. The family losses their Dad, grandpa, uncle, brother, son, Best friend Husband and soul mate, Sam's family losses their Daddy for 10 years. I hope there was a fsmily member to take his small children in so they weren't put into foster care!
Actually, Hicks was sentenced to one year in jail and 10 years probation.
@@danielhartin7680 all he got was ONE F'KN YEAR?!!
@Joe Nobody that is nuts
@Joe Nobody CLEARLY we don't. He should have been in prison for at LEAST 20 years.
@Joe Nobody man F'CK remorse! Remorse wond bring someone back from the dead.
I showed this video in my drivers meeting this past week. I first started the distracted driving with some of the videos our company driver had done and showed this video at the end. Wow the impact this video had on all my drivers was powerful. Thank you for putting your stories out there to help all of us.
Sam Hicks and the Bursik families need our prayers! Devastating video. Made me think about my cell phone 'overall'; I am not driving at this time, but at time, it is put before other things! A real eye-opener about what should be done/what should come first!
My husband works for a trash company… I can tell you their number one priority is safety… fortunately this driver had a camera in his truck and they are not allowed to pick up the phone nor answer it for ANY reason while driving… This driver would’ve been severely written up or fired but unfortunately before that could happen This DEVASTATION happened.. what a beautiful family and I can’t tell you how sorry I am that your beautiful family will miss out on such a wonderful dad! Rob seems to have the upmost remorse for what he has done but unfortunately that doesn’t change the impact This is caused his/ his family’s life nor does it change the devastation of the victims family!! I pray that God gives you all peace and forgiveness… I too have experience loss… The loss of two children even though it’s different I still understand the grief!!! God bless all of you & my prayers and thoughts are with you!!
Powerful!
This video is definitely heart touching and should be a requirement for any new and exciting truck drivers to understand and learn the a few seconds is not worth losing or taking someone else’s life. My condolences to the family
3 seconds is all it takes, don’t take your eyes off the road for longer than 3 seconds. Things can change that fast in a moving vehicle.
Awful, not a mistake it's a stupidity
We are a CDL school in PA and we use that video in the distracted driving chapter, so that they learn the seriousness and consequences of using the cellphone and other distractions.
To the family, I am so sorry for your loss. Let God heal your pain and please learn forgiveness. I understand your pain. My daughter and fiancée were killed by the neglegance of a drunk driver. He was not remorseful in any way, and in fact blamed her for the crash saying in court she was riding a wheelie in a chevette and lost control and hit him. This truck driver sounds very remorseful For his guilt. I give you props for doing this story to bring awareness of this phenomenon and keeping your dad, husband, brother memory alive. May God bring comfort to everyone involved.
Speechless, so sorry for this families loss.... Thank u for sharing, I think everyone needs to see this!!!😔🙏
SENDING MY CONDOLCENSE TO THE FAMILY. I AM ALSO A DRIVER WE NEVER SAW THIS AT TRAINING . BUT I WAS TOLD TO WATCH FROM A SENIOR DRIVER
Rest In Peace, Mr. B, and to the family, you will always be in our thoughts!
to my highschool teacher who posted this, we can’t see it on our school account but thanks for trying
I been driving over the road for over 30 years and 8 out of 10 cars that pass me are on the phone texting and that is in a one mile stretch of highway I travel over 700mi a day. Please put the phone down it's not that important it can wait.
Truckers are their phones as well. I have to hit a shoulder once daily due to another trucker fiddling with his phone.
@Darnell Dubose He's not passing blame, just as observation. As a trucker I concur but I also see more and more truckers using thier phones and other devices mounted to the windshield and dashboard.
OMG, I am so sorry for your loss.
This is an extremely well made documentary, heartbreaking.
Lord have mercy on all involved.
Several years ago this wouldn't have been an issue. Now cell phones are just another item on the list of ways to die.
I worked for a body shop during part of 2019. Owner's been in the business for a long time. He told me that once phones, in particular smart phones, became popular, his shop has been full of rear end collisions. I know during my three months there, there were plenty of them on the lot. Some repairable, most heavily damaged and waiting for insurance to total out.
I've noticed no one has every said a word about the wife who sent that text to him. She knew he drives for a living. Though she isn't fully responsible, but she does hold some sort of blame also. She could have waited to tell him about the house at a later time.
As a truck driver I can honestly say the wife was in no way at fault or responsible for any of it, we get texts all day every day especially from dispatch, any driver should know that text can wait until you get to a stop. And he was in a day cab so he likely made multiple stops a day and he could check it then. That’s 100% the drivers fault and responsibility.
@@midgetmatt97 I drive trucks also. Drove over the road for almost 20 years, and now local for almost 10 years. I fully agree that the driver is at fault, but I still see her as having responsibility also. Like I stated, she knew he drives for a living, and she knew that her text message wasn't an emergency. She could have simply sent a short text telling him to call or text her when he can. But instead she sent him a long text which he, irresponsibly, took his eyes off the road for too long. Where as if the text would have been short, like "call me when you can", his eyes would have been off the road for only a few seconds, and that wouldn't have happened.
Being a driver, ALL of my loved ones knows this about me. Even though I would never do what he did, which was to take my eyes completely off the road for as long as he did, I made sure that they would acknowledge that I drive for a living, and to never text me a long text unless they KNOW I am not driving at that particular time. And all of them respects me in doing that.
I still think that she holds some responsibility for sending a long text knowing that he drove for a living.
@@GratefulTexan I totally disagree.....this was going to happen one way or another. Sam Hicks was a texter and driver or he never would have looked....this was not the 1st time he picked up his phone, guaranteed! If it wasn't her text, it would have been someone else's. Your assessment is totally flawed in my opinion. Free will can not be blamed on other people, he absolutely had a choice and he choose to pick up his phone and read it for 8 seconds, the responsibility lies solely with him.
@@hotrodfanatic1 I have to agree with you and Matt. This is solely the driver's fault. It's not his girlfriend's fault he decided to read and/or respond to a text while driving.
If he was that eager to read it - he should've pulled over or at least wait until he was stationary at a stop light. Only morons text and drive but it takes a special kind of stupid to text while going 60 mph
I appreciate all of your thoughts about this. However, my thoughts are still the same, she should have been considerate in not texting a text which required a lot of attention, knowing that he drives for a living. To me, its the same thing as giving someone a gun, knowing that that person has murderous intent. The result is the same.
She knew he drove for a living. Yet she still chose to send him a text which required quite a bit of attention.
I have family and friends who drives for a living. During the hours I KNOW they are driving, I do not call them, nor do I text them. And on the rare occasion I do have to, its always short, asking them to return or reply when they can because I need to tell them something. More often than not, they all have showed their appreciation by me doing that.
I still thinks she holds a small portion of responsibility for what happened. Not deserving of any "punishment", but still responsible regardless.
Heavy , written in blood , you don’t ever think it can happen to you . Our company. Hammers and Hammers. No Cell phones when we drive other than one touch . Meaning a hands free device.
Any distractions could mean life and death . And it’s always the 4 wheeler where someone is killed . In that Big tractor were protected. Many prayers.
Thanks for sharing.
I was the first car at a red light. This was several weeks ago. I had just picked up my two grandsons from school. When the light turned green I looked both ways as I always do before pulling out to make sure that traffic had stopped before I went. I looked right and that car had stopped. I looked left and there was a van coming but she never slowed down. She ran the red light and I sat on my horn and never let up. She went through the light then heard my horn and slowed down. She almost came to a halt in the middle of the road. My guess was that she realized what she had just done. There was nobody else in the car with her but I could tell she was talking on the phone using her hands free device. Had I gone when that light turned green without looking I might not be here today typing this and my 8 yr old grandson might not be here either as he was sitting directly behind me. She had to have been going 45 mph. Phones are a distraction whether you're looking at them or not!!
Very sad. Bought me to tears 😢
Sad story…despite this kind of sad story which is one of many more while driving on the road you still see a lot of truck drivers on their phone and that just get me sick as a truck driver i always pray to make it home safe not to harm any one family by making a stupid decision by using my phone or being distracted
This is soon sad.. it's a solid reminder that this can happen to the most experienced driver out there!! all types of drivers.should watch this!! Stay alert, stay vigilant, stay alive.. prayers to the families on both sides cause both Rob & Sam lives has changed forever .. plz be safe out there❤
This is why I do not have my phone volume on and while I never look at my phone driving… People call I will call them back when I’m stopped.
This video should be a requirement to watch before getting your license whether regular drivers license or cdl
I completely agree!!
One hundred percent agree!
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. God Bless you all as you move forward. Beautiful Family.
It's very obvious this driver is truly deeply affected and sorry. Nothing good about this situation all around. I'm sorry for such a tragic loss.
I have watched quite a few of these distracted driving videos and I always do a web search to learn more about the stories. One pattern emerges: The incredibly short prison sentences the offenders receive. People serve more time for a pot bust. That is the saddest part of all to me. If a family member of mine was killed like this due to someone else's negligence and they only got a slap on the wrist I'd be crushed. These people need to start doing some serious time. Then maybe these videos will have an impact.
10 years isn’t easy time. Also these people are usually 1st time offenders that’s why the sentence is not 20+
@@amyd.thompson-bernard1817 I'd like to think that no one that was a "first offender" for killing someone while driving and texting and did any number of years in prison would EVER become a second time offender.
Passengers in cars should be allowed to photograph drivers of other cars who are looking at their phone, submit it to police and a ticket should be issued. Offer a cash reward for photographic evidence that's postmarked leading to a conviction. THAT will convince people to stop, knowing that someone might be recording them for evidence. 3 tickets for distracted driving in a 5 year period should result in a one year revocation of ones license.
As much as I normally repel from the idea of a “citizen police” ala “stazi”, I do agree with this. I believe you can actually report texting and driving to the police, just like drunk driving. Just get their license plate number, pull over safely and give them a call.
We just watched this this year with our beginning of the school year start-up meeting at the school bus company where I work. DEVASTATING 😥
I'm a truck driver as well. Had to watch this video as a part of my orientation. It leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth my prayers are with your family.
Some companies with truck fleets are taking advantage of discounted insurance rates that require ZERO tolerance on distracted driving. Multiple cameras are mounted inside the cab. Once the engine is running, any distraction will get the driver fired the same day.
I was hit from behind by a distracted truck driver. We rolled three almost four times in our chevy s10. the roof of the truck was only 2 inches from our heads. God saved us, I honestly believe if we had rolled one more time I wouldn't be here. We were blessed not have ended up underneath the truck, that usually ends in a fatality.
I've been guilty of it. Not going to lie. It's just important to remind yourself that you're not invincible, and also that bad things can happen to anyone.
So very sorry for your loss. RIP Rob.
So, so sad.
This is so sad. So very sorry for y’all. Prayers.
I just watched it for our safety training it brought tears to my eye and hit me hard my heart goes out to the family
They played this video at MDI in my orientation very powerful video
I just want to say my condolences to all of the people involved with this terrible accident. I hope and pray for you and hope everything gets better soon ❤️❤️❤️❤️
This video has made a huge impact on my driving career
Watched part of this in drivers Ed recently. Heartbreaking story
Every company should show this video
I live less than 10 miles from where this happened. The vehicle of the man killed had to be loaded on a flatbed truck and driven to one of the local fire stations to be cut apart in order to get the drivers body out.
Around July 17th or 18th of 2020 I was driving east on 20th street north about 1000 feet west of Manning avenue near Lake Elmo with the windows closed in my truck when I heard the sound like a giant metal garbage can being crushed. I turned north on Manning Trail which curved up to where 24th street crosses Manning avenue and saw to my south black smoke rising into the air. On my way back to Stillwater I saw everything in emergency vehicles on the way to the scene. A few hours later I learned it was a 20 year old Sam L a former coworker of mine who was in that car. He died instantly and his car was severely crushed. I believe that he had accidentally pulled out in front of a large truck. Hearing that sound that caused someone I have worked with to die has very much bothered me.
This video was shared during CDL training. Very sad and but I understand why it needed to be shown. Passed a driver watching video's a month or so ago and I got on the radio and told him to stop before he kills someone but I added a few extra choice words. My wife thought I was being hard on him and she was listening through my headset. A few weeks later she sent me an article where a driver took out a family as he was distracted watching movies on his phone. At that point she completely understood my anger!
Will I be able to get a new dad?..one of the most heart breaking statements..broke mine right there..Life really does hang by a thread of time..8 seconds to be exact.
I asked my co-driver many times to please stop texting while driving. He always got angry and told me to shut up. After a near miss, I finally turned him in. Thank god Im still alive.
So sorry RIP
I feel like this is the all new “8 seconds” of out time.
Very informative video gives a clear big picture
This was the monthly safely video at my company this month and it will effectively rid you of complacency 😞😢
Several years ago a dumbass truck driver nearly ran over my brother and i ,the idiot swerved around us at the last moment ! We were also stopped at a red light! God bless the family ! Should be a 50 year prison sentence with no parole! Permanent loss of license should occur if caught driving and using a cell phone in any vehicle ,hands free or not ,driving takes your complete attention !
Omg my heart goes out to the family.
Every day I see a lot of drivers out there looking at their phone while driving and more women do it than the men
Sorry for your loss
Very sad!
Eye opener and very sad, regardless of your vehicle distracted driving is very dangerous...
Tragic death that we could all learn from! On the road, every second matters!
wow..................................................................................
This is very hard to look at. Fact that we have the power to make a choice to save a life, and that choice is not made. This is an eye opener to stop texting and driving!!
Being and staying alert while driving is important 👍
May you rest peacefully mr.Robert im so so so sorry this happened to you I can't stop the tears you changed my life forever as I often text and drive I will NEVER ever do it again for your name sake IM SO SORRY
I love how Norman Schafer posted this on Facebook and he is forever taking pictures while driving and posting them on Facebook.
Very helpful
Wow, very profound story 😢 we do have to be careful when driving
It took hours to get him out. That hits me hard. This good man died alone, unable to have family surrounding him as he passed.
My Condolences go out to the entire family of Mr. Bursik. This video was hard to watch. Every driver should be required to watch this short video when renewing their driver's license, and when buying license tabs. Unfortunately, it is unbelievable how many drivers are still totally distracted by their e-device while driving a vehicle.
What is the speed limit on that road with traffic lights? Just imagine if his wife and baby boy went to the hospital together and he took out that whole family? Your cell can wait!!!
This is really just too sad. omg 😢
This changed my life I'm so sorry this happened to you sir I'm so sorry I will NEVER text and drive again NEVER it was so selfish of the truck driver I can tell he's remorseful but does it bring him back ??? You changed this family life forever this hurt me so bad I'm so sorry
I hope the poor man didn't suffer. This is so tragic. 😢
All cars and trucks should have a way to automatically block all cell phone reception while the engine is on.
If you need to look at your precious phone, pull over and turn off your car.
Busting traffic lights is what truckers do. A simple miscalculation on speed, distance and braking can result in flying through an intersection. I've told everyone I know, be slow on entering an intersection if a semi is coming. Watch and make sure the semi can/has stopped before proceeding. The worst accidents I have seen is with semi's and distraction. I worked fire/rescue/paramedic in the early eighties with a FD that was tasked with watching over the WV turnpike as it was being built. Every Friday, almost without fail, we would respond to accidents involving semi's crossing into new lanes that had been built during the week, and was completely opposite when the trucker came that way a week ago. Back then it was fiddling with the radio, cb, or picking up a cigarette from the floor after being dropped (NASTY outcome). Best advice to EVERYONE, stay out of the way of semi's! In the case on this video, I'm not sure any action of the driver of the car could have done. From the video, it is obvious the trucker didn't use brakes effectively or at all as the truck rode over the vehicle. Luckily there were no other obstacles for the truck to destroy or people to kill, as it came to a stop in the median, little damage from the impact it just had. Last, 'hours' to disentangle someone from wreckage such as this is common. IF there is a viable chance for the victim, rescue will pull out all stops to get the patient out quickly. When the patient is deceased, it is a matter of retrieving the body intact
Russ Slaughter In the news interview. Mr Hicks said the brakes didn't respond.
His tractor went on top of the car. He lost control completely when this happened. Nothing he could do at that point.
And "busting through traffic lights " is NOT what all truck drivers do...and I have seen way more cars using their phones while driving, reading a book while driving, Reading a newspaper while driving, or using their computer....people in cars are just as bad if not worse. This is bad all the way around for cars and trucks and the families affected..the worse thing that has happened to society is cell phones! Prayers to both families.
And yet the phone companies which make these products that keep us addicted and cause these problems are never held responsible.