In the late morning hours of August 15, 2011, Pejman Sagart and a friend were driving west on California's Interstate 8 when a GMC flatbed truck, carrying metal and wood scaffolding, merged onto the freeway. The truck made an unsafe lane change that put it in the path of Sagart's Mustang. The vehicles collided, causing the truck's cargo to pierce the Mustang's windshield. According to the California Highway Patrol, Sagart and his passenger suffered only minor injuries, but the GMC driver was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.
The Sagart car accident exposes two major issues relating to trucking accidents - impaired driving and unsecured loads. While drunk driving gets lots of press, the dangers of unsecured loads or overloaded trucks are not often reported.
Sagart and his passenger were lucky not to have suffered more serious injuries, but many drivers have not been so fortunate. Examples include Maria Federici, a young University of Washington graduate who was blinded and disfigured by debris that flew from a rental truck and ELO Rock Star Mike Edwards, who was killed when an unsecured 700-pound hay bale hit his car.
Unsecured load accidents are not limited to big trucks, so motor vehicle operators should be wary. Basic household items that fly from the top of a car or the back of a pick-up truck can become missiles that puncture tires and shatter windshields. Liquids falling or flying from vehicles can create slippery road conditions. Unsuspecting drivers and their passengers may suffer serious injuries such as loss of consciousness, blindness, broken bones, and even death.
For big trucks, federal regulations require load securement and define specific penalties for rule violators. There are no such specific rules for passenger vehicle operators, except in a handful of states. Most states address the issue of unsecured or negligently secured cargo by issuing traffic citations.
To reduce these types of accidents, drivers should take precautions before traveling. Planning ahead is key. When transporting loads, be sure to have proper materials such as cords, clamps, and covers to secure loads. Don't overload or pack too many items to reduce the risk of objects falling from or being projected off your vehicle.
Thousands die and are injured in motor vehicle accidents each year, and many of these crashes are preventable. Using common sense and obeying basic safety laws go a long way toward improving safety on our nation's roads.
