HERNANDO COUNTY, FL – Rescue crews were called to the scene of a crash involving a car and a semi-truck on Interstate 75 in Hernando County Wednesday.
According to a report by WTSP, the incident occurred shortly after noon and shut down the northbound lanes of I-75 at mile marker 304. A semi collided with a car, jackknifed and collided with a guardrail. The trailer of the truck went sideways as a result of the impact and blocked the northbound lanes.
Only minor injuries were reported, but drivers were advised to expect an extended closure and major delays. The exit for State Road 50 was recommended as an alternate route.
MARION COUNTY, FL – A collision in Marion County on Tuesday afternoon left one person dead and four others injured.
A report by WESH states that a Honda van and a semi-truck were involved in the crash on Interstate 75 south near mile marker 358. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the van was heading south at about 3:20 p.m. and veered off the roadway toward the center median.
When the driver tried to overcorrect, the van crossed every lane to enter the exit lane toward State Road 326. The driver of the semi tried veering right to avoid the van, but the front of the truck collided with the van’s right side.
CITRUS COUNTY, FL – A two-vehicle collision in Citrus County on Monday claimed the life of an elderly driver, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The crash occurred on N Suncoast Boulevard (US-19) and West Dunnellon Road in Crystal River at around noon, according to a report by WFTS.
State troopers learned that an 88-year-old man was driving a Ford Escape on US-19 when he tried to make a left turn onto Dunnellon Road. The Ford entered the path of a tractor-trailer and was hit by the truck.
MARION COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a man died following a dump truck accident in Marion County on Tuesday morning.
The Ocala StarBanner reports the incident happened along County Road 225A near Northwest 79th Avenue Road at about 9:10 a.m.
According to the FHP, a man driving a dump truck loaded with dirt was headed north when he crossed over the center line. The vehicle went off the roadway and collided with a concrete barrier.
BRADFORD COUNTY, FL – Bradford County Fire Rescue paramedics responded to the scene of a two-vehicle collision Tuesday afternoon in northwest Stark, reports WCJB.
The incident, which was reported shortly before 1:00 p.m., led to a partial closure in the 5600 block of Northwest County Road 229.
Details are limited, but officials said a semi-truck hit the back of an SUV carrying more than one occupant.
OCALA, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol and emergency crews were called to the scene of a truck accident in Marion County on Friday morning.
According to WKMG, the crash involved a tractor-trailer and took place on State Road 326 near Interstate 75 near Ocala shortly before 8:46 a.m.
It resulted in a spill of 150 gallons of fuel onto the roadway. A portion of State Road 326 was shut down while the wreck was being cleared and the spill cleaned up. There was no immediate word on whether anyone was injured.
OCALA, FL – A car and a tractor-trailer were involved in a fatal collision in Ocala on Sunday afternoon, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
WCJB reports the incident occurred on Interstate 75 southbound near mile marker 359, where troopers were called to the scene at about 4 p.m.
According to the FHP, the driver of a Dodge Challenger crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer that was disabled in the emergency lane of the interstate. The Dodge driver, a 27-year-old Gainesville man, was declared dead at the scene. No one else was in the vehicle at the time.
FHP reports that the driver lost control of the car and “ruined 300 feet of guardrail.”
Fortunately, there were no crash-related injuries.
Semi-trucks are the backbone of commerce when it comes to moving goods across great distances and bridging the gap between companies and customers. Though they are vital to our economy, these massive vehicles also present serious risks on the road, especially when a driver loses control. Due to their size and weight, semi-truck accidents are frequently disastrous. Several conditions, such as poor driving, mechanical failure, inclement weather, and road hazards, can cause semi-truck accidents.
How Much Does a Semi Truck Weigh?
Depending on size, a semi-truck without a trailer weigh between 10,000 and 25,000 pounds. A semi-truck hitched up to an empty trailer weigh about 35,000 pounds. In the US, an authorized semi-truck with a loaded trailer can weigh no more than 80,000 pounds.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Driver error is one of the main reasons behind semi-truck accidents. The trucking sector continues to be plagued by driver fatigue and distraction, despite strict laws and significant training requirements. Driver fatigue brought on by extended periods spent behind the wheel can affect judgment and reaction times. Distractions that take the focus off the road, like cell phones or in-cab electronics, raise the risk of accidents.
Mechanical failure is another major contributor to semi-truck accidents. Despite having strict maintenance schedules, issues can still arise involving these vehicles. Tire blowouts, engine troubles, steering system malfunctions, and brake failures can all cause a driver to lose control, endangering everyone sharing the roadway. These dangers can be increased by poorly maintained trucks or insufficient inspections, which emphasizes the importance of routine maintenance procedures.
Poor weather conditions present severe challenges for semi-truck drivers. It can be challenging to drive such large vehicles safely through rain, snow, ice, and fog since these conditions can impair traction and visibility. Sudden gusts of wind, particularly in open regions or on bridges, can destabilize trucks, leading them to run off the road. Even if seasoned drivers are prepared to deal with bad weather, accidents can still occur from unanticipated events.
Road hazards pose additional dangers to semi-truck drivers. A truck’s trajectory can be affected by potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and construction zones, especially when travelling on highways at higher speeds. Failure to successfully maneuver these barriers can lead to a loss of control that result in catastrophic accidents.
How Can You Safely Share the Road with Semis?
To coexist on the roads with semi-trucks, you must pay close attention to your surroundings. Large blind areas, also called “no-zones,” may affect the truck driver’s view. These blind areas are in front of the cab, along the sides, and right behind the vehicle. It is imperative that drivers stay out of these spots since the truck driver might not notice them, which raises the likelihood of collisions. Instead, keep a safe distance and make sure you can see the truck’s mirrors; if you cannot see the truck’s mirrors, then the driver probably cannot see you.
Sharing the road with semi-trucks also requires a great deal of patience. These vehicles have slower acceleration and deceleration times than passenger cars. Give semi-trucks plenty of room when merging in front of them; do not cut them off. A fully loaded truck takes a lot longer to stop completely, so keep in mind that slamming on your brakes or changing lanes suddenly in front of them can have disastrous results.
PASCO COUNTY, FL – A semi-truck accident in Pasco County on Monday morning left two people injured and caused major traffic delays, WFTS reported.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident took place on State Road 56 at about 11:15 a.m. An investigation indicated that an SUV hit a gravel truck as both vehicles were changing lanes near I-75 and Cypress Ridge Boulevard.
The truck overturned, and both drivers were injured. No details were released on the severity of their injuries.
Distracted driving is a deadly roadway problem. An even bigger problem is when drivers of big rigs get distracted from using their phones, adjusting radio dials, reaching for things they dropped, or eating and drinking. Driving distracted wastes seconds that you could use to avert a close call or a fatal crash.
Research from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), shows that the odds of a texting truck driver getting into a crash or near-crash are 23.2 times higher than truck drivers who do not text.
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