Trucking Crashes – Low Visibility
Truck Accidents – Low Visibility Conditions.
Truck Accidents are too often serious and catastrophic. Trucks include 18 wheelers, oversized haulers, long flatbed trucks, large box trucks, oversized haulers, and more.
Truck Drivers are supposed to be professionally trained and familiar with federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. And in Florida, if a driver is driving purely within Florida, the driver, at a minimum, must be licensed as a Commercial Driver and trained on the Florida Commercial Drivers License Manual. And, of course, all truck drivers must be aware of the general rules of the road under Florida’s traffic ordinances.
At night, in Florida, we do experience low visibility conditions especially near the coast. Fog forms frequently in the night because of weather inversions. That happens when a layer of warm air prevents the cooler air below from rising. It’s like a pancake affect where the ceiling — called the “mixing height” – can fall to very low levels, trapping the cooler air close to the surface. And if there are water particles in the air, fog will form.
In these low visibility conditions, truckers must slow to at least 20 miles below the speed limit. A trucker should never stop in the middle of a lane because of poor visibility. The trucker must get off the road or onto a shoulder. Otherwise, mayhem may result from vehicles crashing into the truck, potentially causing a dangerous multi-vehicle pile-up.
Smoke in Florida is also a threat for low visibility conditions. In Florida, we have some wildfires. And we also have “prescribed” or “controlled” burns done under a permit. See Sec. 590.125, Fla. Stat. Those commissioned to perform the burn are required to stay on top of the weather conditions and warn the appropriate authorities if there is a danger of smoke affecting our roadways.
Truckers need to stay alert to weather reports from the National Weather Service. The Service broadcasts and disseminates important data around the country to help predict road conditions, among other safety matters.
At Pita Weber Del Prado, we know trucking cases and the dangers of low visibility conditions. We work with meteorologists and trucking experts to fully understand the events and the weather forces at play. And in smoke conditions, we also work with experienced and licensed “burn chiefs” to fully understand the do’s and don’ts in this space.
Please contact Pita Weber Del Prado us for help on any trucking accident, trucking crash, or other kind of trucking mishap.
