Truck Transporting Ethanol Crashes in Gwinnett County, Georgia (GA)

Gwinnett County, GA- Ajc.com writes that a truck transporting ethanol crashed in Gwinnett County this week on a busy highway.*

The tanker truck was transporting 8,000 gallons at the time of the collision. Reports indicate that the incident took place on GA 316 close to Patrick Mill Road. According to officials, the incident could have turned devastating and tragic if not for a fast response from first responders. Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire that broke out on the tanker. 

Reports indicate that multiple vehicles were involved in the incident, and those vehicles could be seen spread across the intersection following the impact. Debris from the collision blocked both directions of traffic until late morning when officials were able to reopen eastbound traffic lanes. The westbound lanes were closed until well into the afternoon. Drivers were instructed to take alternate routes to avoid the wreckage. 

According to statistics, truck crashes are on the rise throughout America. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the number of fatal truck crashes in 2018 was the highest reported in three decades. Eight hundred eighty-five people in large trucks died that year, indicating a one percent increase as compared to 2017. 

In 1988, 911 people died in crashes while traveling in large trucks, making that the deadliest year on record. Overall, fatal crashes declined. Although, people involved in crashes with large trucks experienced a rise in crashes. Well over 4,000 people died in these devastating wrecks. One of the reasons officials believe large truck crashes are continuing to cause higher numbers of fatalities then our other types of collisions is the fact that these massive vehicles are not being equipped with the same safety technology that is becoming commonplace in new passenger cars. Some safety features can decrease certain types of crashes by 50 percent or more. 

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com-click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or a family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com. 

Sources:

https://www.ajc.com/news/traffic-alert-tanker-truck-fire-blocks-busy-road-outside-of-gwinnett/T57FBLTLD5GD5PSSJZ7JDLFPIQ/

https://www.trucks.com/2019/10/22/trucking-fatalities-reach-highest-level-30-years/