III. Inspection and Maintenance
§396.3, states that “…every motor carrier shall systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles…” The findings of any inspection must be recorded and maintained for at least one year.
Prior to the operation of any tractor trailer the driver is tasked with a pre-trip inspection. Further §396.11 requires the Driver to prepare a report in writing at the completion of each day’s work on each vehicle operated. The report must cover any issue with the brakes, lighting, reflectors, steering, tires, wipers, mirrors, and emergency equipment:
There are four terms commonly associated with tractor trailer accidents on North Carolina roadways are:
- No-Zones: These are blind spots commonly found with large trucks or tractor trailers. These blind spots are located at different points including the front, back and sides of the truck. If, at any time, a vehicle enters into the No-Zone the driver of the tractor trailer would be unable to see it.
- Squeeze Play: We have all seen when a tractor trailer makes a right turn they have to first enter the left hand lane. The problem occurs when tractor trailer drivers are unable to see cars directly behind them or to their immediate left.
- Stopping Distance: Because of their size and weight tractor trailers have different stopping distances than typical passenger vehicles. When traveling at high speeds the stopping distance increases significantly.
- “Off-Track”: Off-track describes when a tractor trailer makes a right hand turn at a higher speed than safe and turns into the left hand lane.