Override is the name of an accident where a large truck fails stop and runs over a vehicle in front of it. Evidently, a 40 ton semi truck causes massive damage to the vehicle in this type of accident. In many cases, occupants of the vehicle that was overrode suffer crippling injuries or are killed.
Underride occurs when a smaller vehicle rear-ends a tractor trailer, crashing under the bottom of the trailer, or drives under the side of the trailer. Cars and trucks are often too tall to clear the bottom of the trailer, yet often too short for their engine compartment to contact the trailer. The result is a situation where the occupants of the smaller vehicle contact the edge of the trailer at the chest or neck level. Injuries in this type of crash often cause brain damage, crippling injuries, or even decapitation.
Truckers can reduce the risk of these types of crashes by:
1. ensuring that their brakes are functioning properly,
2. getting enough sleep to increase their alertness,
3. maintaining a proper following distance, and slowing if cars tailgate,
4. using reflective tape to increase visibility,
5. checking their brake lights regularly for functionality, and
6. make sure that all trailers they tow have underride protection installed.
2 comments: