This document discusses the dangers that overweight trucks pose on Alabama roads. It notes that overweight trucks are more difficult to steer and control, require greater distances to stop due to increased braking distances, have an increased risk of dangerous tire blowouts, and have an increased risk that the load will shift or spill causing instability. The document emphasizes that truck safety should be the top priority for trucking companies and drivers in order to protect all motorists on Alabama roads and highways.

1. OVERWEIGHT
TRUCKS
A DANGER ON ALABAMA
ROADS AND HIGHWAYS
Blackwell Law Firm (2019)

2. STEERING
Overweight Trucks Are More Difficult To
Steer

3. Steering ability is severely reduced when a
truck is carrying a heavy load. This puts
everyone on the highway at risk.
Drivers of overloaded trucks may struggle
to maintain a straight route. They may
have difficulty keeping control if steering
quickly to avoid obstacles. Weather, such
as wind, rain or ice, can make overloaded
trucks even more difficult to steer.

5. BRAKING
Extra Weight Increases The Braking
Distance. It Is More Difficult For The
Driver To React And Stop.

7. Stopping Distance Safety Tips
•The stopping distance for large trucks is much greater
than smaller cars.
•Stopping distance increases with heavy loads. Road
conditions such as snow, ice or rain, make stopping
distances even longer.
•A fully loaded truck in good road conditions at normal
highway speeds needs a distance of nearly two football
fields to stop.

8. When a truck is
overloaded, the driver
can easily misjudge the
stopping distance.

9. BLOWOUTS
Extra Weight Increases The Risk Of
Dangerous Tire Blowouts.

11. • The Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration
performed a large truck crash
study. According to the
extensive study:
• Tire problems were identified
as a factor in 8,000 crashes
(6% of all large truck crashes).
The actual numbers may be
higher.

12. SPILLS
Extra Weight Increases The Risk A Load Will
Shift Or Spill Causing Truck Instability On The
Roadway.

15. Truck Safety Should Be The Top
Priority For All Trucking
Companies And Their Drivers.
For Some Companies, It Is.
Yet, A Few Companies And
Drivers Neglect Their Duty. Their
Neglect Puts All Of Us At Risk On
Alabama Roads And Highways.

16. If You Have Questions About A Commercial
Truck Accident Or Injury, Let Us Know. We Are
Happy To Provide Answers.
BLACKWELL LAW FIRM
Alabama Injury & Trial Attorneys
120 Holmes Ave NE, #401
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 261-1315
www.blackwell-attorneys.com