Jackknifes and How to Avoid Them

There is something pretty darned scary about the thought of losing control of a vehicle that is 75-feet long and weighs 80,000 pounds.  According to all the information I have gathered, it is not easy to jackknife a truck these days because of the safety features that are being implemented in the trucking industry.  However, nothing is impossible, and not everyone has the luxury of driving newer model vehicles.  If you are a driver, you already know about jackknives and how to avoid them, but to the layperson, the concept of handling a truck is foreign.  So consider this information for the non-drivers and as a reminder for those who are drivers.  Let's take a look.
 
 


What are the causes of jackknives?

  • unavoidably hitting ice on a curve

  • over-acceleration, causing loss of control

  • high wind conditions

  • shifting of loads

  • poorly balanced loads

  • unbalanced air brake timing

  • use of hand valve

  • crowded roads

  • rough roads

  • downshifting on slick surfaces

  • improper use of Jake brake

  • tires in poor condition

  • driving too fast for road conditions

  • slow reaction time or driver panic

How do drivers avoid jackknives?

  • plan routes and know road conditions

  • make proper brake adjustments during pre-trip inspections

  • leave room to maneuver

  • be aware of traffic, watching mirrors

  • avoid over-acceleration

  • use Jake brake on dry roads only

  • never use the hand valve

  • brake before a turn, not after you're in the turn

  • do not drive fatigued

If you must err...
 !Err on the side of Caution!

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Last revised: January 28, 2004