Truckload of large glass panes fall on scooter driver - GIF

[ranald]

The only way the scooter rider could not have been killed much less seriously injured is if the accident happened as it appears. Whereas the panels of glass did not strike the rider but only made contact with the rear of his bike, knocking it and him over. He was wmrely bried in the deluge of exploding glass fragments.
I would say ot was the scooter rider who caused the accident but the trucker was at fault for not having any securement on the load what so ever. Plus the shipper wold be at fault for loading on so much glass that a proper load angle could not be acheived those panels were at less than 5° from vertical and should have been at least 10° Leaning against a stiffenough support frame that it would not waver from side to side under the shifting CG when making lane change or swerving.

YEP. Like many accidents, if only one of the contributing factors were at force then it probably would never have happen. Truck was probably only going a mile or so, so laxed safety requisite protocol. Rider wobbled and stopped to turn left knowing truck was upon him/her. Truck swerved unnecessarily,glass vertical more or less, load not secured etc. Wonder if the rider swept up the mess!

[techcollect]

YEP. Like many accidents, if only one of the contributing factors were at force then it probably would never have happen. Truck was probably only going a mile or so, so laxed safety requisite protocol. Rider wobbled and stopped to turn left knowing truck was upon him/her. Truck swerved unnecessarily, glass vertical more or less, load not secured etc. Wonder if the rider swept up the mess!

About 35 years ago I came onto an accident scene in a notorious 'S' curve on a US highway. (35 mph zone)
A local architectural glass company here was transporting a load of 3/4" sheets (48" wide by 120" long panels)
secured on steel sheet pallets side loaded onto their own flat bed rig.
This was going to another of their facilities 60 miles away.

A car had cut into the trucks outside lane and the truck's driver moved to avoid collision.
The Tractor and driver were unharmed but the trailer was detached and flipped on it's side and the glass was all over the road.
Fortunately for all concerned this was close to a state DOT shed in the pass, where equipment and chemicals are stored for winter weather.

When I came back through headed south, DOT was using one of the bucket loaders
to clean up most of the shards and a tractor broom was close behind.
I've wondered if the company is able to recover the waste into dump trucks for recycling or if it is worth it.

The news story later said State Police placed the fault on the car's driver and ticketed her and said the driver and company had performed everything correctly. (from witness accounts.)
Still,(I would think) it is something that gets to professional drivers to know they did the best they could and still it is beyond their control.
Thankfully no one was hurt. (bigger than a small miracle I think)

Being a busybody at times, I pass these stories along to young/younger drivers to illustrate the point so many vehicles have different handling/ stopping/ steering characteristics and driver experience that need to be accounted for with 'the other guy'.

I know thats 'preaching to the choir' here but its the way I grew up; 'Don't make the same mistakes I did young man!' stories.