The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that 37,461 people died in car crashes across the U.S. in 2016, creating a nine-year high. Residents of Oklahoma and elsewhere are concerned that new safety technology, such as automatic emergency braking, rearview cameras and lane departure warning systems, are doing little to stem the increase of deaths.
The dangers of trucks with spiked wheel ornaments
Some trucks in Oklahoma might be more dangerous if they have spiked wheel ornaments. These are decorative fittings attached to the lug nuts of tractor-trailer wheels. Made of plastic, metal or aluminum, they could extend far enough to injure a pedestrian, motorcyclist or bicyclist in an accident.
Avoiding 18-wheeler accidents in Oklahoma
An important part of truck accident prevention is knowing what trucks are physically capable of. Trucks are the largest vehicles on the road and put cars in more danger than themselves. Truck accidents frequently involve overrides or underrides. The first occurs when a truck collides into the back of a car and rides over it, and the second when a car collides into the back of a truck and is forced under it. Rear underride guards are mandated for all trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or more, but they are of somewhat limited utility.
