Hazardous Goods Truck Slips on Icy Road, Slight Damage
The driver of a hazardous goods truck in Merklingen, Alb-Donau district, had a close call recently. On a chilly Saturday morning, the 38-year-old lost control of his truck as it exited a parking lot onto the Autobahn 8. Colliding with his trailer, the towing vehicle, in turn, pushed the tanker, causing the trailer to jackknife and stop on the exit ramp. Fortunately, the driver managed to maneuver his vehicle to a nearby garage, avoiding severe consequences.
The incident condemned the Autobahn 8 to a harrowing state. Although the weather was clear, the heavy traffic and debris left behind by the storm made the road a potential disaster zone. Miraculously, no additional vehicles collided or flipped due to the treacherous road conditions.
Danger on Slippery Surfaces
It's no secret that slippery road surfaces pose a considerable threat to large vehicles carrying hazardous substances. While reliable statistics on this type of accident frequency are scant, rain, snow, and ice can cause surfaces to become slippery, thus heightening the risk of accidents. This is particularly problematic for hazardous goods trucks, which demand increased braking distances and are more susceptible to jackknifing during abrupt stops.
Several safety measures can help prevent such incidents from occurring.
Safety Precautions
- Vehicle Maintenance: Regularly check your brakes’ performance and tire tread depth and air pressure. Properly maintained tires equipped with deep treads will greatly enhance cornering and handling capabilities on slippery surfaces.
- Driver Training: Encourage winter driving training with an emphasis on safe practices during wet conditions, including reduced speeds, increased following distances, and smooth braking and turning maneuvers.
- Safe Driving Practices: Adopt a lower speed to account for slippery road conditions, extend following distances, and forego sudden movements as much as possible.
- Vehicle Preparation: Opt for non-slip floor coatings and well-maintained lighting to bolster traction and visibility, respectively.
- Pre-Trip Inspections: Examine your vehicle exhaustively before hitting the road, ensuring brake functionality, light functionality, and proper tire pressure, among other essential components.
- Cargo Securing: Secure cargo thoroughly to prevent any shifting during sudden movements.
By implementing these safety measures, you can dramatically reduce the risk of accidents involving hazardous goods trucks on slippery roads.
