Semitruck crashes are some of the most dangerous. In many cases, those crashes are caused by issues with the trucks’ cargo loads or because of dangerous driving practices. An average semitruck weighs around 35,000 pounds, though they can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded in the United States. Even without a trailer attached, a semi still weighs between 10,000 and 25,000 pounds. Comparatively, the average car weighs around 2,871 pounds, and the average passenger truck weighs around 6,000…

Anyone who has ever traveled down I-70 next to a big rig behemoth has likely felt their much smaller passenger vehicle shuddering from the sway of the semitruck doing 70 mph or greater.  It’s a given that those who share the roads with these large, commercial trucks face an enhanced risk if the situation deteriorates rapidly on the road. Such was the case on the start of the recent Labor Day weekend on Interstate 70 when a semitruck caused a…

Large trucks are common on the Colorado roads. An accident between passenger vehicles and 18-wheelers can cause catastrophic injuries and death. Relying on government oversight to ensure that truck companies adhere to the rules for safety might seem wise. However, some rule changes sow concern. Such is the case with the bill that would allow drivers under the age of 21 to drive commercial vehicles across state lines. The new bill is touted as a way to improve safety. It…

Truck driver fatigue contributed to 13% of crashes analyzed in the Large Truck Crash Causation Study of 2007. However, there are many steps that drivers in Colorado and elsewhere can take to make sure that they are awake enough to operate their vehicles. For example, it is not a good idea to drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. because the human body tends to be naturally tired during these hours. Drivers may also be vulnerable to…

As much as 35% of truckers in Colorado and the rest of the U.S. suffer from a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Apnea means “without breath,” and sleep apnea results in the individual having his or her upper airway blocked during sleep for 5 to 10 seconds at a time. In obstructive sleep apnea, the most common among truckers, the mouth palate and throat muscles relax and collapse to block the airway. OSA prevents truckers from getting either deep…