Trapped Under Trucks
propublica.org
Trapped Under Trucks
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Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#2>According to NHTSA’s latest figures, more than 400 people died in underride crashes in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. But experts say the true number of deaths is likely higher.
>The technology at issue — strong steel guards mounted to the back and sides of trucks — is simple and “relatively inexpensive,” Friedman argued. “The costs are small.”
Talk about a "failed state".
Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#3I have always wondered why those trailers with the super low floors are not more popular...
They look to be more aerodynamic, they can hold more stuff, and they would prevent the problems presented in the article.
Maybe does it have to do with the fact that loading docks are already high, and this would make the loading process more cumbersome? I am not sure...
Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#4>According to NHTSA’s latest figures, more than 400 people died in underride crashes in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. But experts say the true number of deaths is likely higher. >The technology at issue — strong steel guards mounted to the back and sides of trucks — is simple and “relatively inexpensive,” Friedman argued. “The costs are small.” Talk about a "failed state".
Failed state is when no underguards
Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#5>According to NHTSA’s latest figures, more than 400 people died in underride crashes in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available. But experts say the true number of deaths is likely higher. >The technology at issue — strong steel guards mounted to the back and sides of trucks — is simple and “relatively inexpensive,” Friedman argued. “The costs are small.” Talk about a "failed state".
Failed state is when no underguards
It’s rather when the industry can keep fighting for 50 years to save pennies over lives, and faces no punishment for it.
Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#6I have always wondered why those trailers with the super low floors are not more popular... They look to be more aerodynamic, they can hold more stuff, and they would prevent the problems presented in the article. Maybe does it have to do with the fact that loading docks are already high, and this would make the loading process more cumbersome? I am not sure...
It's the loading dock.
The vast vast majority of trucks are not filled to the brim (and even if they're at their weight limit, they often have "air" in the box).
"Lowboys" are mainly used for large construction equipment where they need the extra height.
A semi-trailer is a surprisingly cheap piece of equipment.
Some trucks that are special purpose use the lower areas (see https://www.mayflower.com for an example; household movers have more weight capacity than space).
Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#7Europe has mandatory underride guards for this reason since 20+ years ago.
Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#8>An investigator with the local police department blamed the collision on the truck driver, who was initially charged with negligent homicide, though charges were eventually dropped
I wonder why.
Another issue is the size of trucks. The state where I lived:
* Truck size was limited, large trucks were only allowed on one Highway. Goods were transferred to smaller Trucks for transport to factories.
* Driving trucks on Sundays was not allowed.
* Large Trucks were not allowed on City Streets. Since this happened it is open season on bicycle riders.
Reagan de-regulated and Trucks can be any size, plus they can clog the roads on Sunday. The last item I do not know when it was enabled, but it happened after Reagan.
I now heard of trucks with 3 trailers but never saw one. I think it is about time we limit sizes to what existed on the 60s. If you need 3 trailers, time to go back to freight trains.
Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
Failed state is when no underguards
It’s rather when the industry can keep fighting for 50 years to save pennies over lives, and faces no punishment for it.
You'd think some of the trucking companies would do it just for publicity, if it was cheap enough.
Then again, cars could all come with roll cages and five-point harnesses, and they don't, so there's some limit to safety equipment.
Re: Trapped Under Trucks
#10As the article mentions, there is collaborative documentary that was produced with this story. You can watch it, and I think most FRONTLINE documentaries free on youtube: