Semi-Trucks Parked on Ramps Pose Significant Danger to Oncoming Traffic

Around the country, including here in Georgia, there is a serious danger out on highways that many are unaware of: Parked semi-trucks on side ramps, pulled off the road for rest stops where they aren’t allowed to be. As a result of accidents involving these parked semis, every year, a number of drivers – and even passengers, in some cases – lose their lives after slamming into the back of them while they are parked on the side of the road. Conditions are especially dangerous when it is dark out and trucks’ lights; when this occurs, often even hitting the brakes before a collision cannot prevent these tragedies.

“Invisible Brick Walls”

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 4,000 injury incidents and 55 fatal accidents involving big rigs near interstate on and off ramps in 2020 alone. As a result, some are now calling these hidden dangers “invisible brick walls” that cannot possibly be avoided by cars, and it isn’t just a danger to oncoming cars: Even Greyhound buses have slammed into semi-trucks parked along rest area ramps, resulting in the death of innocent people.

Not Enough Rest Stop Parking

Officials from the trucking industry have responded that their drivers are forced to park in these spots because there are not enough parking spots for trucks along the road, and it is this lack of parking – along with strict drive time rules and limitations – they say which forces some truckers into situations which are unsafe for everyone. Indeed, CBS News investigations confirmed the presence of parking crowding the roads into rest areas already full of parked trucks all around the country, with the roads jammed with trucks on both sides.

The Law in Georgia

However, it is also important to note that Georgia law does not allow overnight parking on on/off ramps; in fact it is illegal to park on interstate highways, period. This means that if an accident occurs due to a semi being located on the on-ramp here in Georgia, it is the trucking company and driver who have behaved negligently by breaking a law that was put in place to protect the public, and that negligent action is taken into account in determining fault for any injuries, harm, and wrongful death that results from these accidents.

If You’ve Been Harmed, Contact Our Macon, Georgia Truck Accident Lawyers

These accidents can permanently damage and change lives forever. So many of them result in those in the car that comes into contact with the truck instantly dying due to the impact with a sitting 700,000 pound truck. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a truck accident, contact the Macon, Georgia truck accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill right away so that we can help.

Source:

cbsnews.com/news/parked-semitrucks-pose-a-danger-to-drivers-the-push-for-change/