Two Semi-Trucks Lose Control and Jacknife, Causing Multi-Car Pileups in Milwaukee

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Randy Rozek

 

As the temperatures dropped in the early morning hours of January 13, 2009, two separate semi-truck accidents caused major delays on US-41/US-45.

On US-45 Southbound, around 5:30 a.m., a semi-truck lost control and jackknifed, causing an 11 car pileup. While most the cars were able to stop in time to avoid the semi-truck, some were not so fortunate and crashed into the semi-truck. Ambulances were on the scene.

In a separate crash that occurred around 3:00 a.m., on US-45 Northbound, another tractor-trailer lost control and jackknifed near the Good Hope Road exit, near Park Place. The Northbound lanes were closed for over two hours.

While icy road conditions contributed to the semi-truck accidents, clearly the truck drivers were traveling too fast for the dangerous conditions. Again, these truck drivers failed to use "extreme caution" when operating their rigs, in violation of federal law.

 

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Federal Law Requires Truck Drivers to Use Extra Care When Driving in Poor Weather Conditions

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Randy Rozek

The Federal law which applies to all interstate motor carriers, including semi-trucks and most commercial buses, requires that drivers use “extreme caution” when driving in severe weather conditions. Any Wisconsin resident can tell you that our weather conditions can change dramatically within minutes. However, dozens of Wisconsin semi-truck accidents occur each year because the drivers do not exercise extra caution when driving in our dangerous weather conditions.

Wisconsin drivers know, and the Wisconsin Motorist Handbook issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation requires, that when visibility is reduced due to bad weather drivers must increase their following distance. However, under the federal law, semi-truck drivers have an increased duty. The following federal law applies to all interstate truck drivers:

"Extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction. Speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial motor vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated. Whenever compliance with the foregoing provisions of this rule increases hazard to passengers, the commercial motor vehicle may be operated to the nearest point at which the safety of passengers is assured." 49 CFR 392.14

Despite this federal law, many Wisconsin truck accidents occur each year due to semi-truck drivers continuing to drive in severe weather conditions.

 

On January 6, 2008, severe fog caused a series of pileups on I-90 just east of Madison, Wisconsin. In many places along the stretch visibility was less than 100 yards. Despite the poor visibility, semi-trucks continued driving, eventually plowing into many cars, killing 2 people and injuring many more. One witness, who was driving a car, described how she greatly reduced her speed when she recognized that visibility was so poor. She witnessed one semi-truck on her left barreling through a ditch passing her, while another semi-truck on her right crowding her trying to pass. Meanwhile, behind her, there was a 20-car pileup.

 

In January of 2001, a severe snowstorm caused a 40 car pile-up on I-43, just north of Milwaukee outside of Port Washington, Wisconsin. In that situation, a dump truck continued driving despite the low visibility and eventually lost control, slamming into an SUV that had pulled over due to the poor visibility.

 

Whenever there are drivers pulled over on the side of the road due to poor weather conditions, truck drivers would be well advised to also pull over. In fact, the federal law suggests they are required to do so.

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