Two people died tragically when an 18-wheeler slammed into a line of traffic along U.S. 287 in Grand Prairie, Texas, yesterday afternoon.
18-Wheeler Collided with 3 Passenger Vehicles
The March 14th accident occurred just around noon, as the rig was headed south on 287 and approached an area of congestion associated with a construction work zone located between FM 661 and Prairie Ridge. According to the police, the 18-wheeler driver failed to control his speed and collided with three vehicles caught up in the slow-down.
The drivers of two vehicles, both men, died at the scene. The Ellis County Medical Examiner’s Office is withholding the identities of the deceased pending family notification.
Occupants of the third vehicle were not injured.
Yesterday’s deadly crash remains under investigation.
Work Zone Truck Crashes are Rising
A fully-loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. When traveling 55 miles per hour, these trucks require about 50% more stopping distance than a standard passenger car.
According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Administration (FMCSA), 842 people died tragically in connection with work zone-related accidents in 2019, up from 757 the prior year. The 11.2% increase is the most significant percentage jump in highway work zone fatalities this century. The increase between 2018 and 2019 also “outpaced the modest 0.3% increase in overall highway construction spending and the 0.8% increase in overall vehicle-miles-traveled nationally.”
18-wheelers and other large trucks accounted for 33% of all fatal work zone crashes, despite making up just 5% of all vehicular traffic that year. Three states in particular — Texas, Georgia, and Florida — generate some of the highest rates of trucking-related work zone accidents in the country.
Work zones often confuse drivers and can cause any number of traffic disruptions, including narrowing of lanes, merging traffic, shifting lanes, slowing and stopping traffic, unexpected work vehicles entering the traffic flow, temporary speed limit adjustments, and flaggers in the roadway. To prevent work zone truck crashes, the drivers of 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles should always:
- Pay attention to the signs.
- Adhere to instructions by the flagger.
- Leave enough space between their truck and the vehicle in front to stop safely.
- Take advantage of their driving height and anticipate braking situations.
- Be prepared to slow down or stop suddenly in a work zone.
- Get into the correct lane well in advance of lane closures.
- Be cautious of motorists racing to get ahead of trucks in merge areas.
- Be aware of their truck’s No-Zone areas where crashes are more likely to occur.
- Avoid work zones by using alternate routes where possible.
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Our Undefeated Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers are investigating the deadly construction zone crash in Grand Prairie and will post an update if new information becomes available.
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