The 8 Most Dangerous Trucks On The Road

When was the last time you saw a driving around town that looked like it could take you down? Well, some vehicles out there make even the most experienced drivers tremble.

Trucks come in different shapes and sizes. Some are designed to carry heavy loads, while others are built to haul smaller deliveries. Either way, their sheer size and solid structure demand respect on any road.

But what makes some trucks more dangerous than others? Are there any specific features that decrease their safety? Let's look at the top eight most dangerous ones on the roads today and why you should be wary of them to avoid a crash.

1) Tanker

Tankers are not highly maneuverable autos, making them very dangerous even during normal driving. They are also usually used to haul flammable liquids, such as gasoline, over long distances.

These have a high center of gravity and a round structure, making them more susceptible to accidents where they roll. In addition, due to the nature of their cargo, they are also at risk of causing an explosion.

2) Flatbed

A flatbed truck is a type used for transporting goods. They are typically found hauling freight across various countries of the world.

Flatbed trailers come in different sizes and shapes. Some are built specifically for carrying large objects like cars, while others are meant to haul smaller loads such as furniture.

The term "flatbed" refers to the shape of the bed itself. Most modern flatbed trailers have a flat surface, usually covered with plywood or metal sheeting. These can be hazardous if their loads are not properly secured, causing their load to fly off and damage other autos during a crash.

3) Garbage Trucks

A garbage truck is a heavy-duty vehicle designed to haul trash and recyclable materials. Garbage is typically large weighing up to 60,000 pounds and is often used for municipal waste collection. They are commonly seen around major cities, collecting household refuse and taking it to landfills.

The trouble with this is that they are not easy to control and have enormous blind spots during normal moving. This makes them prone to accidents where they turn in front of other autos or hit pedestrians. In addition, they are often driven by inexperienced drivers who lack training.

4) Extra Duty Ones

Extra-duty trucks are specialized commercial ones that carry out deliveries for items much larger than those associated with standard commercial ones. For example, these may transport items as big as entire houses or large containers.

They are generally larger than regular ones and are equipped with special features to allow them to perform their duties. A common feature is a ramp on the back of it, allowing it to load or unload items easily.

These require a specialized license to operate as they are very large and can become unstable when driving too fast. In addition, they can be dangerous because they cannot turn or stop as quickly as some others resulting in major crashes.

5) 18-Wheeler

An 18-wheeler truck is a type of semi-trailer that usually transports heavy loads. They are the joints you see the most while traveling on the freeway.

The most problematic issue during an accident with these is turning them and causing a jack-knife. Jack-knifing occurs when an 18-wheeler turns too sharply, causing its load to stay behind while the front of the swings into its side.

This often happens because the commercial driver does not see the car ahead and turns too quickly, or the load is not distributed correctly.

6) Dump Trucks

It is a heavy-duty commercial one used to transport and deliver building materials such as sand, rubble, and stone.

Dump can also be used to transport trash to landfills. Garbage ones are a type of dump.

They have an open container that is hydraulically lifted so its content can be dumped into a bed or on the ground at the correct destination.

These dangers have large blind spots and often cause accidents when reversing to deliver their load. They have also been known to drop their loads accidentally or cause massive spills if tipped over.

7) Cement Ones

Cement trucks are top-heavy vehicles that are prone to rolling over during accidents. In addition, cement must be shipped wet, and concrete mixers have a rotating drum; they pose unique risks as their load is unstable during transit and can contribute to tipping over.

Engineers developed an automatic braking system that uses sensors to detect the position and apply brakes if necessary to prevent these problems.

8) Semi-Trailer

These trucks are the most dangerous and common type of commercial auto. They are a category that includes some 18-wheelers, big rigs, and tractor-trailers.

Other types include boxcars, reefer units, and refrigerated containers. These are extremely heavy and require special experience to operate them safely.

There are many ways drivers can become injured while operating a semi-tractor trailer. Examples include hitting pedestrians, being rear-ended, falling off the road, running into another vehicle, colliding with a bridge abutment, and crashing into a building. All of these events can cause serious injuries or even death.

Why Accidents Happen

Accidents occur every day around the world. Unfortunately, when a smaller auto is involved in an accident, serious injury, and traffic fatalities are likely. Here are some causal factors of accidents:

Speeding

Driving speed is one of the most common factors behind accidents, as most ones take longer to slow down than smaller vehicles. If something goes wrong on the road, a speeder might end up swerving or jack-knifing while trying to avoid it.

Distracted driving

While many people think about texting, it turns out that talking on cell phones is just as dangerous. Drivers are on the road for many hours a day, and the journey gets both lonely and boring. Distraction is a leading cause of accidents for this reason.

Fatigue

Longer trips increase the chance of fatigue. If you go over 12 hours without rest, you could become fatigued. This can cause drowsy driving, making you less alert. Truckers also spend a lot of time driving repetitive straight roads that can cause them to fall asleep behind the wheel after a long night of driving.

Alcohol or drug use

Drinking and drug use are often linked to accidents. In addition, some drink and drive because they can't cope with the intensive lifestyle of delivery demands and long trips away from home and family.

Lack of sleep

A recent study of sleep and sleep disorders found those drivers who had slept less than five hours per night were twice as likely to get into an accident compared to those who got seven or eight hours of sleep each night.

Sleep deprivation can cause drowsy driving, intoxication-like symptoms, and significantly impaired judgment. It can also cause fatigue driving increase.

Poor road conditions

Previous studies show that heavy traffic, poor weather conditions, and road construction can contribute to unsafe conditions. Trucks are heavy vehicles that take skill and experience to maneuver safely through poor road conditions.

Safety Always Comes First

Trucks are dangerous vehicles when you don't pay attention to them or when inexperienced commercial drivers exhibit unsafe behaviors. As a leading car carrier service, we know the roads are full of automobiles that intimidate you.

At A1-AT, we ensure every one of our professional drivers is highly trained and capable of delivering your motorcar or goods safely and without delay. If you're ready to put safety first, give us a call today.