The semi truck’s tractor and trailer have a combined length of about 70 feet. A typical highway lane width is about 12 feet. As one might expect, making a u-turn with a semi truck on a two lane highway isn’t easy. It’s also dangerous because a semi truck takes a long time to execute the maneuver and blocks both lanes. Additional reasons semi truck u-turns are dangerous include: The Semi Truck Has Large Blind Spots Unlike a car that permits a 360 degree view when the driver turns her head, the.
Because of its enormous size and weight, a semi truck can cause a devastating truck accident that may injure and kill motorists. Truck drivers too, don’t always come out of these accidents unscathed. Semi truck accidents have caused serious injuries and fatalities to truck drivers. This is why the truck driver’s pre-trip inspection of her rig is so important, and is why it’s required by law. Because of the many trips truckers make in their careers, the pre-trip inspection becomes very routine, and the temptation exists for truckers to cut.
An 80,000 pound semi truck isn’t a sports car. It’s designed to haul freight while handling is a secondary consideration. This leaves truck drivers with few options in emergency situations. They can hit the brakes and possibly not stop in time, or swerve and possibly rollover or jackknife their rigs. In spite of these handicaps, some truck drivers depower the brakes on their tractor and rely solely on the trailer brakes for braking action. Why would they risk their lives and safety this way? To save money. This unsafe practice is.
The average weight of a motorcycle plus its rider is close to 1000 pounds. A tractor-trailer rig can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Given this vast difference between the two vehicles, a motorcycle collision with a truck is unthinkable. The tractor-trailer’s enormous size limits the trucker’s view of the space around his vehicle as well as his braking and steering. This means it’s very difficult for him to see you, and his options for evading you are limited. In short, your safety around semi trucks is up to you. Motorcycle Safety.