Truck Accident Terms and Definitions

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) Total weight of a vehicle and everything aboard, including its load. Bobtail Tractor Tractor operating without a trailer. Also refers to straight truck. Bogie (also spelled bogey) Assembly of two or more axles, usually a pair in tandem. Brake Horsepower (bhp) Engine horsepower rating as determined by brake dynamometer testing. (see Horsepower) Fixed Tandem Assembly of two axles and suspension that is attached to the chassis in one place, and cannot be moved fore and aft Semitrailer trailer supported at the rear by its own wheels and at the front by a fifth wheel mounted to a tractor or dolly. Landing Gear legs which support the front of a semitrailer when it is not coupled to a tractor. Tandem Axle (Tandems) Pair of axles and associated suspension usually located close together. Sliding Tandem (Slider) Mechanism that allows a tandem axle suspension to be moved back and forth at the rear of a semitrailer, for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight between the axles and fifth wheel. LTL Carrier company which consolidates less-than-truckload cargo for multiple destinations on one vehicle. Container (Shipping Container) Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping containers are 20 or 40 feet long, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships' holds. Hazmat Hazardous materials, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

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	Did You Know?
	Raising The Number Of Driving Hours Save Lives. The longer off-duty time allows drivers to have more regular schedules and increases the potential for quality sleep. This is consistent with fatigue- and sleep-related studies considered in development of the rule that indicate the amount and quality of sleep a person receives has a strong influence on alertness.