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NBC-2 News reported September 4, 2014 that the Florida Highway Patrol is cracking down on overweight dump trucks which weigh more than the legal limit. Florida law does regulate both the size and the weight of each truck and its load.  For single-unit dump trucks, the maximum axle weight is determined by the tire size. Regardless of the tire size, however, Florida law says that no axle may exceed the lawful weight limit of 22 thousand pounds, and the maximum gross weight is the total of allowable axle weights not to exceed 70 thousand pounds.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) dump trucks are considered "single-unit" trucks (SUTs). These are trucks which have the engine, cab, drive train and cargo area all mounted on a single chassis. In the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts Research Note dated May 2013, they reported that in 2011, about 3 percent of fatal crashes, 1.7 percent of injury crashes (25 thousand) and 2 percent of property-damage-only (PDO) crashes involved SUTs.

When involved in a crash with a dump truck (SUT), injuries and death are more likely than being in crashes with other vehicles. They are just so big and heavy. They carry more force than smaller vehicles and the impact is harder. Overloaded dump trucks make our highways more dangerous for several reasons:

• Stopping/Accelerating: They have more difficulty in stopping and/or accelerating.  If a truck is overweight, it could take the length of a football field to stop.  Not being able to stop can prevent the dump truck from avoiding crashes.
• Mechanical Failures: Overloaded dump trucks can lead to fatal mechanical problems because of the strain put on the breaks and other mechanical parts.
• Road Damage: Overtime dump trucks which are overweight may tear up the roads and highways increasing pot holes, worn ruts and other dangerous situations for other vehicles such as motorcycles.

NBC New York reported that three people died in a dump truck accident in New Jersey on August 28.  Nearly two dozen vehicles were involved when the dump truck driver lost control, swerved and caused the accident according to authorities.

"Overweight dump trucks are dangerous on Florida's roads and highways.  We, at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, endorse the actions being taken by the Florida Highway Patrol in cracking down on these trucks," says Attorney Randall Spivey. 

Southwest Florida Truck Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.