Reasons tractor-trailer accidents are devastating
Even minor vehicular accidents can be upsetting. When accidents involve tractor-trailers, the results are almost always severe.
There are a few reasons why tractor-trailers are prone to causing personal injury. Drivers aware of these factors are more inclined to be cautious behind the wheel.
Weight
The average passenger car weighs around 4,100 pounds. In contrast, tractor-trailers can tip the scales at up to 80,000 pounds. More weight means greater inertia. Thus, the impact caused by these shipping containers crashing is significantly more intense.
Added weight also means extra braking distance is necessary to avoid tragedy. Say a tractor-trailer is traveling at 60 miles per hour. On average, it needs approximately 350 feet to come to a complete stop. Visualize the length of a football field to picture what this means. Professional haulers need quick reflexes to compensate for this added time.
Length
Shipping vehicles are particularly long and wide. Their shape makes maneuvering through traffic especially difficult. Drivers sometimes have trouble navigating turns. They run the risk of sideswiping an innocent motorist. Operators who have a CDL license are less likely to trigger this predicament.
Load
Many tractor-trailers carry dangerous freight. It is not uncommon for them to ship flammable or explosive chemicals. In some instances, they hurtle down the highway bearing toxic substances. Radioactive material is even a possibility. These liquids have the potential to turn a scary impact into a life-altering scenario.
The reasons why tractor-trailers cause devastation are real. Operators need instruction about their high level of danger. Likewise, those traveling alongside them should exercise caution.