Interstate Closed Following Accident Involving Truck Hauling 8,500 Pounds of Dynamite
An interstate was closed after a semi truck carrying explosives crashed near the entrance of a rest area on the Illinois/Indiana state line. The semi driver, hauling 8,500 pounds of dynamite, attempted to get off the interstate and missed the turn, running into the rest area trees. No one was hurt in the truck accident, and the dynamite remained intact and untouched.
The cause of this truck accident was likely driver error, which accounts for a great deal of truck accidents. However, many truck accident causes are out of driver control;
In this case, although the truck accident was likely due to driver error, the driver did comply with correctly securing his cargo, as mandated by the FMCSA. The dynamite remained intact and was able to withstand exploding despite the collision's impact. The FMCSA requires that cargo in commercial vehicles be firmly immobilized or secured on or within a vehicle by structures of:
1. adequate strength
2. dunnage or dunnage bags
3. shoring bars
4. tiedowns
5. or a combination of the foregoing 4
The FMCSA further regulates cargo placement and restraint in that articles that are likely to roll must be further restrained by:
1. chocks
2. wedges
3. a cradle
4. equivalent device to prevent rolling
