The weight and size of semi-trucks are primary contributors to the threat they pose to people on the road. They dwarf passenger vehicles in size and mass, resulting in devastating collisions. Many drivers try to give commercial vehicles as much space as possible, especially if they encounter long combination vehicles with two trailers behind a single cab or tractor. Drivers may feel more comfortable around an unloaded semi-truck without a trailer attached. While they are still relatively large, they are nowhere near as long or heavy as a semi-truck with a trailer attached. Are unloaded trucks actually safer in traffic? 

Unloaded trucks are more dangerous than people realize

Contrary to what people intuitively expect, an unloaded semi-truck is potentially more dangerous than a fully-loaded vehicle. There are two main reasons for that risk. The first is driver fatigue. Frequently, an unloaded truck has already made a delivery, and the driver may have been on the road for 10 hours or even longer. Additionally, the lack of a load affects the performance of the truck. The braking system in semi-trucks relies in part on the weight of the load to help slow and stop the vehicle. Unloaded or deadhead trucks are potentially greater threats because they take longer to stop when compared with fully-loaded semi-trucks. Companies should try to schedule routes to minimize unloaded travel time whenever possible, and drivers must use extra care when traveling without a load.Regardless of the load status of a commercial truck, people involved in crashes may have major expenses to address. Reviewing the commercial insurance policy that applies and quantifying total losses can help those involved in commercial truck collisions pursue compensation for their losses.