Truck Load Shifting Can be Dangerous

An overloaded tractor trailer can be difficult to handle and stop, but a truck that has a load shift can cause a driver to lose control and wreck. The general rule is that the tractor trailer driver is responsible for the load. This means that the driver is responsible for knowing the weight of the load, placement of the load, and how the load has been secured. Truck drivers and their employers are required to comply with specific safety regulations for tractor trailers that cover how the load is secured (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) 49 CFR 393.5 & 393.100 to 393.136 = "Protection Against Shifting and Falling Cargo”).  A driver's responsibility includes checking the load as part of the pre-trip inspection, after 25 miles of travel, and then after 3 hours or 150 miles, and when the truck driver takes a break. For a review of these rules, click here.