It is illegal in Alabama to pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights in most cases. One narrow exception is for oncoming traffic on a roadway divided by a physical barrier. Each day school is in session, around 350,000 students in Alabama ride school buses that travel over 450,000 miles, according to the […]
Unlike passenger cars, semi-trucks rely primarily on air brakes, a powerful system designed to handle tractor-trailers’ immense weight and momentum. Air brakes on semi-trucks use compressed air to activate the brakes. With so much riding on these crucial safety systems, it’s essential to understand how air brakes function, their key components, and what happens when […]
It’s challenging to say what percentage of backing-up accidents involve large trucks, as safety agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) don’t provide detailed data on backing accidents. However, the Alabama Department of Transportation has some useful backing accident statistics. A recent report indicates that 442 truck crashes in one year (roughly 4.2 […]
It’s important to always keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you in traffic. When you don’t, your risk of getting in an accident goes up. But this is especially true when driving behind a large commercial truck. Failure to maintain a safe following distance can lead to potentially catastrophic accidents that […]
Delays that truck drivers experience due to the loading and unloading of cargo can lead to lost revenue and increase the chances that drivers will violate federal regulations to make deliveries on time. Delays could also increase the risk of truck crashes as drivers try to make up lost time on the road by speeding […]
Although renting moving trucks allows people to move properties more cost-effectively than hiring a full-service moving company, many people renting moving vans don’t have the experience or skill to operate these vehicles safely. If you got hurt in an accident involving a rented moving truck in Alabama, who can you hold responsible for your crash-related […]
Did a trucker make a U-turn and crash into your vehicle? Truck drivers who make improper U-turns put every other driver on the road at risk of serious injury. That’s why some states and trucking companies have banned commercial truck drivers from making these maneuvers. Alabama Laws on Trucks Making U-Turns Alabama law states that […]
The massive size and weight of semi-trucks make even basic driving maneuvers like stopping far more difficult and potentially dangerous. Understanding how much room a commercial vehicle needs to come to a stop could help keep you safe while driving in Alabama. Below, we’ll discuss how truck brake systems work and how much space you […]
Operating a semi-truck requires a great deal of training, skill, and care. Because of their immense size and weight, 18-wheelers don’t maneuver or stop like a regular passenger vehicle. Instead, truck drivers must always remain aware of their surroundings and plan ahead to safely slow down or stop their vehicles, especially when they’re in traffic. […]
Any accident that involves a commercial truck could result in severe injuries to those involved – particularly occupants of a passenger car. Large vehicles such as 18-wheelers are enormous in size and weigh tons. Even a minor accident can lead to extensive property damage and severe injuries to drivers and passengers. In fact, because of the size […]
