What is the truth about "wheel separation"?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies. If you have been driving for decades and seen none at all, that is important feedback as much as any occurrences you may have had or seen. I am NOT looking to get anyone into any trouble and do not represent any legal or news publication, simply doing research on a topic that i feel is seriously important. To be honest am a bit confused. I talk with a state patrol and they say it is common, then speak to a driver for 30 years and never seen any. Real numbers are what I seek.

Do you have or see wheel separation once a year?

Once every 5 years?

Once a decade?

Never?

Thanks again for any input. I know the families that have lost someone due to this take this topic very seriously, I hope to part of preventing this from ever happening again with your help. Thank you, Dr. Mike

 

any Class 8 truck or trailer wheel that comes off. if you were to do a search on youtube or google there are many surprising entries of this happening. some of them are actually almost funny, most are devastating. thanks for your input!

 

not one of the items we think to check when getting a new truck for sure. there are typically two reasons for wheel separation i am finding and that is the stud torque is too tight or too loose, a rare occurrence, and hub failure from fluid loss, again, both items see so many miles before this happens. thanks kindly for your feedback!

 

thanks for your valuable input, i sincerely agree with everything stated and quite clearly too i might add. there is an element of human involvement for the wheel studs part always, and signs for the equipment failure may prevent it, but won't stop it if in route. it appears there are 3 to 6 people who die a day in North America, still wanting to get very accurate numbers.