What is jackknifing? Why is it dangerous? When is an articulated lorry most likely to jackknife? These are all important questions that need answering. Jackknifing can be a very dangerous situation on the road for all road users. If you are not familiar with what jackknifing is, it is when the trailer of a truck starts to turn sideways until it becomes perpendicular to the tractor unit. This can cause massive traffic jams and delays, as well as very serious accidents. In this article, we will discuss exactly what jackknifing is, why it happens, and how you can avoid it.
What Exactly Is Jackknifing?
Jackknifing is an unexpected event where a vehicle suddenly turns sideways on the road. A jackknife can be caused by many different factors, but it most often happens when there are slippery conditions on the roadway or uneven terrain. It may also happen if one of the tires has lost pressure or if there is too much weight in either the front or back of the vehicle. Jackknifes are more likely to occur with articulated lorries because they have two sets of wheels per axle and so any condition that affects one set will affect both sets equally.
Why is Jackknifing Dangerous?
Jackknifes can cause significant damage to vehicles and sometimes lead to accidents that result in injury or death for those involved. When this occurs, people who were injured may have grounds for legal action against the person responsible for causing them harm.
Let’s not forget, these are tremendously heavy vehicles, usually carrying scores of tons of goods, and when they’re loaded to capacity they can be hard to hold up in an accident. When a truck driver has a jackknife crash it means he has lost any traction in the tires or that the wheels have come off their axles. If this happens your best odds are that something is going over on top of you because even if it just falls back onto one side then more than likely its contents will go spilling out on all sides and there are no guarantees that there won’t be landing upon some unfortunate individuals somewhere down below.
What Are the Top 5 Causes for Jackknifing and how to avoid them?
1)Driver error
When the driver makes a mistake while turning, such as braking too hard or steering incorrectly, this can cause the lorry to tip over.
When driving in wet weather conditions, it is important to take extra care and drive slower than usual. This will help to avoid any skidding or losing control of the vehicle.
It is also important that you make sure your load is evenly distributed in order to maintain balance whilst driving.
2. Sudden braking or swerving
If a driver has to brake or swerve suddenly, this can cause the lorry to overturn. This is particularly dangerous if there are already vehicles on the road that the lorry needs to avoid.
Sudden braking or swerving can also be caused by something in the road. It is important to always check for any obstructions before making a turn or changing lanes.
If you need to make any sudden manoeuvres , it is important that you use your indicators and check for other traffic before doing so. This will help other drivers on the road know what you’re planning and give them time to react appropriately.
3. Tire blowout
When there is a blowout in the tire, this can lead to loss of traction and cause the lorry to tip over.
It is important that your tires are well-maintained so they do not blow out while you’re driving or make any sudden movements that might result in an accident.
If there is a blowout, it is important to stay calm and slowly bring the vehicle to a stop. Do not make any sudden movements that could cause the lorry to tip over.
4. Poor road conditions
Poor road conditions are a common reason for trucks jacking knifing, as well as other vehicles being involved in accidents with them due to their size. Good braking distance should always be observed by heavy goods vehicle drivers when travelling on poorly maintained surfaces; this will help avoid any skidding or losing control of the vehicle they’re carrying out manoeuvres on these types of surfaces too quickly which could potentially lead to disaster!
5. Vehicle overload
It is important that you make sure your load is evenly distributed in order to maintain balance whilst driving.
If you are unsure about how much weight your vehicle can carry, it is important to speak with your transport company before embarking on your journey. This will help to ensure a safe trip for everyone involved.
Driver error when turning, sudden braking or swerving, tire blowouts, and poor road conditions are the top five reasons for a lorry to jackknife. It is important that you take extra care when driving in wet weather conditions and make sure your load is evenly distributed in order to maintain balance whilst driving.
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