BACKGROUND: A contracted log truck driver left early one morning from a log deck. Driving conditions were dry and clear. The driver’s truck was hauling tree-length pine on a four-bunk trailer. The trailer was loaded with pine pulpwood from a second thinning operation, and the driver had driven about 30 minutes and was 12 miles from her destination. The highway route had numerous curves with no paved shoulder.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: The contracted female driver had traveled the route many times in the past three years. The investigation report did not indicate any previous driving accidents by the driver.
UNSAFE ACT/CONDITION: Although the driver was very familiar with the route and, in addition, a sign warning of the curve was clearly posted approximately 200 yards before it, she did not take sufficient note of the sharp curve until too late. It was determined that the driver was traveling at approximately 35 miles per hour while attempting to make the turn.
ACCIDENT: The driver lost control as she entered a sharp leftward curve in the highway. The truck overturned and came to rest on the passenger side in the middle of the highway. The loaded trailer was partially in the ditch. A stake on the trailer’s rear bunk was severed from the trailer prior to overturning. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
The Arkansas State Police and the County Sheriff’s Office completed an investigation at the scene, and no citations were issued.
INJURY: The driver was taken to the hospital where she received 20 stitches to a cut above her right eye and was released.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTION: Never allow familiarity with a route to allow you to relax cautions. It is important to monitor conditions constantly and adjust speed to account for them. The receiving mill’s incident report notes that the company will communicate about the incident with other timberland harvesting advisors, who will discuss it with logging contractors.
Courtesy of the Forest Resources Association: https://www.forestresources.org/