| A driver of a semi trailer tractor is a professional who | | | | that states all semitrailers must undergo regular |
| has undergone quite a bit of training and testing in | | | | inspections to ensure that their parts and equipment |
| order to get their commercial driver's license (CDL) and | | | | are in tip-top working order. |
| they are considered to be the best drivers on the | | | | One problem that a tractor semi trailer may encounter |
| road. However, the size of semitrailers alone make | | | | is jackknifing, which is essentially when a truck folds as |
| them hard to handle and even harder to control once | | | | the trailer tries to pass the cab. Many things may |
| something goes wrong, so you should definitely not | | | | cause this including slippery roads, sudden braking, an |
| just assume everything is OK and throw caution to the | | | | impact to the truck and malfunctioning brakes. |
| wind when driving next to one and ignore what could | | | | Normally, when malfunctioning brakes are the cause, it |
| be a potential problem. | | | | is because of a combination of the front brakes |
| You can substantially reduce your chance of being | | | | locking up and the rear brakes failing that causes the |
| involved in an accident with a truck trailer tractor by | | | | cab to stop as the trailer stays in motion. |
| driving responsibly and understanding their limitations | | | | Blind spots are another problem and you have very |
| and being aware of what can go wrong. No matter | | | | likely seen the sign on the back of the semitrailers that |
| how much you trust their driving ability and even if you | | | | reads "If you cannot see my mirrors then I cannot see |
| legally have the right of way, keep in mind that | | | | you." This warning is there for a reason. All vehicles |
| equipment failure is out of the driver's hands and the | | | | have blind spots and the commercial truck trailer is no |
| only law it is aware of is physics. | | | | exception. The experienced truck driver can usually |
| A few of the parts that may fail on a tractor semi | | | | anticipate a car going into their blind spot and correct |
| trailer are the brakes, tires, axles and even the truck | | | | the problem to avoid a collision; however, you never |
| trailer hitch that may result in an accident, and you may | | | | know if that driver will know exactly what to do so |
| be hurt or killed if you are next to it when it happens. | | | | you need to stay clear of a big rig's blind spots. |
| Unfortunately, not all companies comply with the law | | | | |