High winds storms bludgeon the sides of tractor-trailers with such force they can flip a rig with a trucker driver inside. When gusts spike above 70 mph, truckers are suddenly placed in harm’s way. That’s why one inventor recently filed a patent for an “Emergency Breakaway Hitch Release” that would sever the trailer and keep truckers safe from an imminent rollover. “I thought there should be a system to protect a semi-truck and driver if high winds, a sharp corner, or other situation will result in an imminent rollover,” an inventor from Walnut Grove, California, reportedly said. “So, I invented the Emergency Breakaway Hitch Release. My design would prevent the semi-truck from flipping over along with the trailer.”
Although severe weather storms are largely predicted by meteorologists, tornados and sudden surges in wind velocity occur quickly across relatively flat farmlands and plains in the central parts of the country. On May 12, for example, multiple storms ripped through Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with winds gusts spiking over 100 mph.
“We have had many storms before, but the amount of communities that have been affected, we just haven’t seen before,” South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem reportedly said.
In Hutchinson, South Dakota, winds peaked at 107 mph while unsuspecting truckers found themselves in danger on I-20 and I-90. Officials reported that 15-20 tractor-trailers were toppled as truckers could find neither shelter nor adequate windbreak from the abrupt hike in wind velocity. And the National Weather Service reported the nation experienced 34 tornadoes, 108 hailstorms, and 439 high wind events on May 12 alone. Truckers across the region sustained serious injuries from the crashes, and they could have lost their lives while keeping the country’s supply chains open.
Whether the Emergency Breakaway Hitch Release emerges as a potentially life-saving product remains to be seen. But windstorms continue to toss tractor-trailers into ditches, and truckers need additional safety measures.
“The patent-pending invention provides a way to disconnect a trailer in an impending rollover accident. In doing so, it helps to keep the tractor upright. As a result, it protects the semi-truck driver, and it enhances safety. The invention features an effective design that is easy to use, so it is ideal for trucking companies,” a recent news release states.
Sources: prnewswire.com, stormersite.com, weather.com, dakotanewsnow.com
Brake away hitches are an ignorant plan of action, keeping the unit together gives more stability, the driver needs to know what to expect an how to react before they get behind the wheel.
Pay attention to NOAA and remember your DAC . Trying to make a few more bucks isn’t gonna make much difference in your paycheck , do don’t push so hard , afterall , if you have an incident / accident you will lose more time ( money ) and then there’s the DAC . Maybe you should look for a better paying company .
If I understand this correctly, the trailer comes unhitched, and goes wherever it goes, maybe into on coming traffic, even with auto braking via rapid air loss. If I driver over-cooks a turn, his trailer, and mistake, could land up injuring, or killing many.
In high winds, the risk may be a bit less, (since there should be far less people traveling, hopefully), but the trailer can still become a large battering ram, (even when on it’s side).
I would like to see a breakaway windmill blade.