ROLLOVERS

Truck driving is a potentially dangerous profession. Hundreds of professional drivers die in highway accidents each year. Some types of rigs are more dangerous than others. Driving tankers and flatbeds are probably the most dangerous occupations in the country. Around 55% of all truck driver fatalities are the result of rollover accidents. Another 10% occur as a result of post-accident diesel fires. By avoiding these types of accidents, the chances of being killed on the job decreases almost 2/3!

The problem is big rigs roll over very easily.
You can turn over in a curve without going too fast for the curve if your rear tires strike something (like a curb) while you are cornering. Articulating vehicles (5th wheel type) with rubber tires "out track" when turning above a certain minimum speed, typically 15 miles per hour. This is the design of the vehicle, not the result of poor driving. Your trailer axle may be 2 feet outside of your steering axle if you're pulling a long trailer. Picture this: You're coming down a freeway ramp, turning right (right hand curve). Your left front tire might be 1 foot inside the paint line while your outer left rear tire might be 1 foot outside the line. What's out there to "trip" you up and turn you over? You can probably roll your rig at speeds as slow as 5 mph, especially on slopes or where a strong tripping influence is present. You can even roll backing up if you're jackknifed.

Many rollovers happen when drivers try to return to the road after putting a tire off of the pavement. You can rut in soft ground or catch a pavement separation and roll over. If you put a wheel off the pavement or even onto a paved shoulder that may have separations, straighten the rig out and bring it to a stop. Don't try to return to the road at speed.

Treat any load that can move on you like it probably will, and drive accordingly.

Death by Surge:
Shippers who insist on running tankers less than 3/4 full are putting you under unnecessary risk. A partial tank load is much more dangerous than a full one.

Quick lane changes and similar road maneuvers can roll you; this goes double for double drivers and triple for triple drivers.

Work Hard - ActSafe®