The PA Turnpike is a critical travel artery through the heart of the state. Without a doubt, it has long been a critical form of transportation for trucks moving from the ports near New Jersey into the heart of the Midwest and beyond. Connecting big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh also makes it a critical resource for trucking. Yet, it is also dangerous, especially if you are a car on the roadway with numerous trucks.
So, why do trucks make the PA Turnpike so much more dangerous than other highways and roadways? There are several key reasons why you can expect trucks to increase the risk levels every time you are on the road.
If you were hurt in a truck accident on the PA Turnpike, the legal team at Kwartler Manus wants to help you recover maximum compensation in your case.
The Number of Trucks on the Road Is Growing
One of the reasons why the PA Turnpike is dangerous is the sheer number of trucks that use it every day. The PA Turnpike has over 550,000 vehicles traveling across its over 500 miles of roadways every day. There is no accurate number of how many trucks use it every day, but with thousands of trucks sharing the road with you, you can expect injuries and risks. That is because:
- Trucks are larger and harder to see around.
- It is not easy for truck drivers to see you, especially if you are in their blind spot.
- Trucks are much heavier, which means they need more time to stop and cannot react as quickly to changing road conditions.
With a higher number of trucks and these factors, the risks of an accident are higher. Since the speed limit is 70 miles per hour across much of the state, that is a lot of weight going at a very fast rate of speed right next to thousands of other drivers.
Drivers Are Tired
While Pennsylvania is a very beautiful state, from hills and rolling valleys to the twists and turns of the mountains, the PA Turnpike is a very monotonous experience. Most of the cities are well off the roadway, meaning there is less to look at as you drive by. In addition to this, truck drivers are often on that road for hours at a time, and the longer they are, the more likely they are to become less responsive to changing road conditions.
Fatigued truck drivers are a significant concern that has prompted the federal government to implement mandatory breaks and limit the maximum number of hours truckers can drive at one time. This means they have to get rest, but that does not mean all trucking companies and drivers follow those rules. Fatigue increases the likelihood of drivers causing accidents.
Construction Zones Make Things Challenging
As a driver of the PA Turnpike, you know they are always working on sections of it. The Commonwealth has numerous rules in place to protect construction workers on job sites, which often means issuing numerous warnings, implementing blockades, and making significant changes to traffic patterns. As they work, however, truckers and others must navigate these constantly changing roadways. That can increase the risk of an accident.
In various portions of the construction projects on the PA Turnpike, there is a need to narrow down the lanes. As they do, this increases the risk significantly for one driver to swerve into a truck’s lane or for the truck driver to lose control for just a split second. Both situations can cause an accident. This is made worse when curves and added blind spots are present along the road.
Construction zones are often clearly marked, and some truckers avoid these areas until there is ample space to navigate. Yet, as a driver, you may not know of all of the construction happening across the PA Turnpike until you hit the road.
Curves Matter in Many Areas
There are some parts of Chester and Montgomery counties that are very smooth, with wider lanes and ample room. That is not the case in all areas. Some portions of the PA Turnpike have lowered lane sizes, which means truckers have a much narrower area to navigate.
In addition, PA’s curves and hills make it harder for truck drivers to maintain a steady flow of traffic. Revving up the engine to go uphill and controlling the descent of such a heavy truck is hard to do, even for skilled drivers. This increases the risk of an accident happening on the PA Turnpike. When trucks are involved, there is also less visual clarity and bigger blind spots to navigate around those changes.
Your Risks Are Higher, But Help Is Available
Trucks make the PA Turnpike more dangerous because they are larger, fast-moving vehicles navigating construction sites and curves with care. If you are hurt because of a trucking company, schedule a free consultation with Kwartler Manus to discuss your case with our PA Turnpike truck accident lawyer. Reach out to us to find out what your case is really worth.