Truck Driver Killed by his load 4-22-16

I have worked a bit with raw Kevalar in the fiberglass manufacturing business. It is not extremely expensive when bought by the yard.

Bullet proof vests are expensive because they can be and also to cover the product liability if it fails.
I think one could be made with Kevalar and very heavy duty webbing and rings to chain it back to keep the load going forward for under 500 in materials.
If you can suppress the momentum from the start I feel you can up the chances of survival in a hard deceleration event.

In a head on or abrupt stop I don't think much can be done for that.

Just my thoughts.

 

Stopping the movement from the start is key. That's why you move your 4x4 bulkhead back to the load instead of leaving it up at the front of the trailer.

 

Never thought about it much but possibly something like a cargo net. Like they use on ships to keep cargo from moving or to sling bundled cargo from one ship to another.

 

I like it. Just need the right hooks to hook to the rub rail and ratchets to tighten it, moving pads to protect from sharp edges, and maybe vinal over the outside to keep the wind from blowing the moving pads around. It doesn't need to be super tight but just snug.

 

I guess it makes this load look like a walk in the park.

 

Been there done that, a few times.

 

There's a better Version off that Made for steel loads.

 

Something like that would definitely fit the bill. It'd have to be ultra strong though, for it to be effective. What's in the picture above is for putting over things like loads of bricks or sacks and the like - to keep that sort of stuff together, where straps ordinarily won't - saving a driver from having to tarp a load that doesn't require it. Even so, look at its price tag. Fifteen-hundred smackers.

So imagine then, or try to, what something would cost that was made to do what we've been describing. Upwards to $5000 - maybe? Cause I can guarantee you, if sellers think they got a specialty product that truckers want, they aren't going to be kind about price-tagging it. The cost of KEVLAR in bulk not withstanding.

But definitely an idea to pursue. If it can save lives, then definitely something for manufactures to maybe look into!

 

I personally seen this truck shortly before accident. I hollered on CB to tell him his straps were very loose, no response. It was one time I was gLad to be governed at 65 so he could get on away from me. Told buddy I was on phone with that guy is going to kill somebody. Unfortunately in this situation I would've rather been wrong.