Transport truck with a huge pile of snow.

[Think]

I couldn't believe what I saw on HWY50 heading north of Steeles today:

http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/13439/2000173745217712993_rs.jpg
http://aycu22.webshots.com/image/10061/2000122225377147159_rs.jpg

I called the cops but they want me to go in person to make a personal complaint.

[skyblue12]

happens quite a bit.. i've seen sheets of ice / snow fall off people's cars onto the road enough times.

my question is, how the heck do u scrape the snow off the top of a transport truck unless you climb onto the top of it?

btw, OP u might want to change tranport -> transport

[GTAdiscountStudent]

yeah, i see alot of cars with snow on top of them too....pretty dangerous when it's alot of snow and it suddenly blows off..........pretty much impossible to see anything for a couple of seconds.

[beerbaron105]

already made a thread about this:

a coworker of mine had his windshield smashed in (not spidered).... completely smashed in because a huge sheet of ice lifted up from a transport going the opposite way on the highway and colliding with his car * u can imagine the speed/force of two opposing lanes colliding*

[Kasakato]

already made a thread about this:

a coworker of mine had his windshield smashed in (not spidered).... completely smashed in because a huge sheet of ice lifted up from a transport going the opposite way on the highway and colliding with his car * u can imagine the speed/force of two opposing lanes colliding*

Do you work for my dad? :lol: Exact same thing happen to him. A large chunk of ice fell from the truck, and smashed his windshield. He was able to slow to a stop without getting rear ended.

[Andro]

I couldn't believe what I saw on HWY50 heading north of Steeles today:

I called the cops but they want me to go in person to make a personal complaint.

so you think that by taking photos while driving on highway that makes you a better driver then him?

[Think]

so you think that by taking photos while driving on highway that makes you a better driver then him?

Yes....and go home.

[kcorscadden]

There isn't really much that can be done in this situation as truck drivers are PROHIBITED by law to get on top of a trailer and clean it off due to safety issues. Yes it is a stupid law, but it is what it is.

[hightechfan]

I couldn't believe what I saw on HWY50 heading north of Steeles today:

http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/13439/2000173745217712993_rs.jpg
http://aycu22.webshots.com/image/10061/2000122225377147159_rs.jpg

I called the cops but they want me to go in person to make a personal complaint.

Why would you call the cops for that.

[Shaner]

There isn't really much that can be done in this situation as truck drivers are PROHIBITED by law to get on top of a trailer and clean it off due to safety issues. Yes it is a stupid law, but it is what it is.

According to what law?
Maybe they should be carrying a ladder in their trucks with them at all times then.

[Think]

Why would you call the cops for that.

Oh I don't know...maybe because he was travelling at 80km during rush hour, with enough snow to cause a major accident?

DOH:rolleyes:

[kcorscadden]

According to what law?
Maybe they should be carrying a ladder in their trucks with them at all times then.

Considering that I am a truck driver, it is a law setup in place by the MTO to protect the companies and their drivers. If a driver falls from the top of the trailer, they can injure themselves quite seriously and then turn around and sue the company. This law avoids this possibly scenario.

[Shaner]

Considering that I am a truck driver, it is a law setup in place by the MTO to protect the companies and their drivers. If a driver falls from the top of the trailer, they can injure themselves quite seriously and then turn around and sue the company. This law avoids this possibly scenario.

Is it law or just policy among the truck companies?
If it's law, I'm just curious which act the law is under.

[Riley Martin]

What a stupid law. So the safety of the truck drivers trumps the safety of all the cars on the road?

[Shaner]

What a stupid law. So the safety of the truck drivers trumps the safety of all the cars on the road?

Assuming it is even a law. That's still up for debate.
We'll see whether kcorscadden can provide that info or not.
Until then, I have my doubts that the government would waste it's time with a law stating that truckers can not climb on top of their trucks.

[Think]

What a stupid law. So the safety of the truck drivers trumps the safety of all the cars on the road?

It's totally bogus. They can easily find a way of having some sort of cat-walk setup and a security strap setup of some sort to blow off the snow. I'm mean really, take a look at that pile of snow - if that fell off on a car at the speed it was travelling at, it would most definitley cause a serious and/or fatal accident.

[kcorscadden]

Is it law or just policy among the truck companies?
If it's law, I'm just curious which act the law is under.

It is an actual law by the MTO. You will not find it though on their website as their website has more important laws on there. Again, too a degree it is a silly law, but it is designed to protect me and other truck drivers from getting on top of that trailer, slipping and falling and possibly paralyzing myself.

Based on the OP's pictures, that trailer hasn't moved in at least 2 weeks or that was from one very large storm. I would say it was from a few weeks of accumulation as you can see it is all in the middle of the trailer. The question is is there ice at the front and back of the trailer roof?

My advice to all driver's is too simply stay WELL back of a trailer that has this much snow as any bump could dislodge and cause it to come crashing down on your vehicle.

[Riley Martin]

It doesn't even have to be a truck. I've seen regular sedans where they roof was not cleared and sheets of ice 2 or 3 feet wide fly 30 feet up into the air and crash down onto the highway. Luckily I've never seen them land on any cars. They are such a hazard and it is not like these are rare occurances.

[Think]

It is an actual law by the MTO. You will not find it though on their website as their website has more important laws on there. Again, too a degree it is a silly law, but it is designed to protect me and other truck drivers from getting on top of that trailer, slipping and falling and possibly paralyzing myself.

Based on the OP's pictures, that trailer hasn't moved in at least 2 weeks or that was from one very large storm. I would say it was from a few weeks of accumulation as you can see it is all in the middle of the trailer. The question is is there ice at the front and back of the trailer roof?

My advice to all driver's is too simply stay WELL back of a trailer that has this much snow as any bump could dislodge and cause it to come crashing down on your vehicle.

It was at the back of the truck, taking up approximately 6 feet of the rear.

[dealguy2]

Just how much snow does cheronto get? That looks like a couple of feet there.

[Think]

Just how much snow does cheronto get? That looks like a couple of feet there.
http://aycu16.webshots.com/image/12535/2004524402037546437_rs.jpg

Oh, I would say at least 4 feet high.

[goob3r]

Considering that I am a truck driver, it is a law setup in place by the MTO to protect the companies and their drivers. If a driver falls from the top of the trailer, they can injure themselves quite seriously and then turn around and sue the company. This law avoids this possibly scenario.

Does the law also avoid the scenario where a family sues the same company for negligence for killing one of their family members?

[kcorscadden]

Does the law also avoid the scenario where a family sues the same company for negligence for killing one of their family members?

Every law that the MTO has can be picked apart with a fine tooth comb. I can pick apart many laws that G drivers have that are just stupid, but I have chosen that it is pointless to debate it.

In this particular law, you are screwed either way:

A) you risk a driver slipping and falling 20+ feet possibly paralyzing or worse killing themselves

B) that snow/ice falling off the trailer and striking another vehicle putting that vehicle at risk.

You can't have both, you have to choose one.

I am thinking that the MTO has thought that if a driver falls, they have no protection. That's asphalt or a solid dirt road at the bottom. At least if it hits another vehicle, that person is somewhat protected by their vehicle depending on where the snow/ice hits. Again, I don't know for sure why the MTO thought of such a law, but I can easily ask my employer for sure tomorrow if you all so desire.

[Riley Martin]

This is a real hazard. Honestly who can we write to or speak to about this? Something has to be done.

[skyblue12]

This is a real hazard. Honestly who can we write to or speak to about this? Something has to be done.

what can we do though? it's pretty hard to track down all the cars with snow on the roof.

[gman]

Snow is nothing. Think about ice. When a bed size of ice flip into mid air (like a kite), loop a few rounds before it slams on the ground, that is quite a scene.

[kcorscadden]

what can we do though? it's pretty hard to track down all the cars with snow on the roof.

Yes but snow can be cleared off of a car with a brush. It is just that people are too lazy to take the extra 30 secs to do it.

[Riley Martin]

what can we do though? it's pretty hard to track down all the cars with snow on the roof.
I really don't know. Hire some part time traffic officers during the winter time and have them sit on the highways and give out fines on the spot to any cars that have snow/ice still on their cars. Make it theer one and only responsibility. I know it sounds really far fetched but it's only a suggestion. It's better than having nothing done.

[beerbaron105]

dont worry, they will change the laws once a family of 7 in a minivan perishes as a result

[skyblue12]

Yes but snow can be cleared off of a car with a brush. It is just that people are too lazy to take the extra 30 secs to do it.

oh i kno that is true, i'm saying what can we do about those lazy people who don't spend the extra 30 seconds to do it? we can only do so much by telling everybody to brush it off before they get in the car, no matter how many times we say it some people will still never do it. so what do we do about those people?

[kcorscadden]

I really don't know. Hire some part time traffic officers during the winter time and have them sit on the highways and give out fines on the spot to any cars that have snow/ice still on their cars. Make it theer one and only responsibility. I know it sounds really far fetched but it's only a suggestion. It's better than having nothing done.

Nice idea, but with most vehicles going at least 100km/h on the HWY, that snow will have blown off long before those traffic officers even see it making their job utterly pointless.

[Riley Martin]

Nice idea, but with most vehicles going at least 100km/h on the HWY, that snow will have blown off long before those traffic officers even see it making their job utterly pointless.It was only a suggestion. Have them sit at exit on ramps of highways. That could work. Of course this is only my dream world.

[kcorscadden]

oh i kno that is true, i'm saying what can we do about those lazy people who don't spend the extra 30 seconds to do it? we can only do so much by telling everybody to brush it off before they get in the car, no matter how many times we say it some people will still never do it. so what do we do about those people?

Precisely, that's where this law is black and white. Unless the authorities catch the vehicle early in their trip, there isn't much u can do as the snow will have more then likely blown off by the time they catch them.

There's not really much that can be done here.

[skyblue12]

It was only a suggestion. Have them sit at exit on ramps of highways. That could work. Of course this is only my dream world.

wouldn't the dream world be more perfect than just having this idea implemented? :lol:

my dream world would be no snow at all.. hot girls.. etc etc etc

[goob3r]

what can we do though? it's pretty hard to track down all the cars with snow on the roof.

It is illegal for cars to drive around with cakes of snow on their roof already, at least in Ontario.

[Alvito]

my friend was exiting off the 401 at leslie and a truck infront of him dropped a huge egg of an ice block and he hit it, lost control, and slammed into the guard rail.

called me at 3am to come get his friends and drive them all home.

(they were coming back from waterloo for the weekend)

[Think]

This is a real hazard. Honestly who can we write to or speak to about this? Something has to be done.

Well you take the initiative when you can. In my case I followed him on route to CP rail at Rutherford/Hwy 50 and I took a few other pictures that included his truck number at the front of his truck. I will print these out and bring them to York Regional Police to fill out a complaint - at least some sort of warning would satisfy me.

[Sylvestre]

Just a fyi, it's not a MTO law, it's a MOLabour law that prohibits anyone from climbing on/above a truck.
And for people that think "set-up a cat-walk or something", that's pretty narrow thinking. 18-wheelers are usually multi-day trips where the trucks stop at stations overnight sometimes. If/when snow accumulates, there's nowhere to clean it off. It's not like they can go to a carwash or something.

[Think]

Just a fyi, it's not a MTO law, it's a MOLabour law that prohibits anyone from climbing on/above a truck.
And for people that think "set-up a cat-walk or something", that's pretty narrow thinking. 18-wheelers are usually multi-day trips where the trucks stop at stations overnight sometimes. If/when snow accumulates, there's nowhere to clean it off. It's not like they can go to a carwash or something.

Instead of insulting us "narrow-minded" people, how about providing a sensible solution? If the truck is unsafe, then it's unsafe and should be parked.

Another "narrow-minded" solution that I would suggest is to have a heating net at the top, similar units that they use on roofs to melt off snow.

Is that a less narrow minded?

Very few members sure degrade this site!

[Chr1s]

All car and truck owners should be aware and responsible for their vehicles. Clearing snow and ice off the top of their vehicle is a form of servicing their vehicle. This area should be inspected before the driver gets behind the wheel.

Falling ice is a concern; not only on trucks.
Over the last few days the ice formed on the CN tower has been falling off (chunks as large as a kitchen table) due to high winds. They closed the Gardiner Expressway yesterday because of safety concerns. One pedestrian got hit, and a taxi's back windshield was smashed. That's a hell of a long drop. Perhaps by closing the Gardiner, they saved someones life.

Good for the OP for being a concerend citizen. Bravo. :)

[Topher]

Is there anything stopping a trucking company or truck stop from erecting a thing to drive through with firm brushes on the top to brush away the snow? Set it at a certain height and put grating underneath for the snow to fall through. Then you just drive through, clean the majority of the snow off the top, and go on your merry way? (Only hinderance, besides the cost, which doesn't have to be too much, would be if there was a wide variance in height.)

I know very little about trucking, so this might not be a feasible idea, but don't shoot me for suggesting it.

[Sylvestre]

Instead of insulting us "narrow-minded" people, how about providing a sensible solution? If the truck is unsafe, then it's unsafe and should be parked.

Another "narrow-minded" solution that I would suggest is to have a heating net at the top, similar units that they use on roofs to melt off snow.

Is that a less narrow minded?

Very few members sure degrade this site!

Nope, still pretty narrow thinking. You are suggesting that every truck be retro-fitted with a heating element? Who's paying for that?
And if it snows, all trucks that are un-safe stop driving? How exactly do you propose to maintain the shelves around the province?

I agree snow on trucks are dangerous, but let's be real, does anyone know how many accidents were caused due to this problem in the last year?

[UrbanPoet]

What a stupid law. So the safety of the truck drivers trumps the safety of all the cars on the road?

more like a workers/labor law. I believe you have the right to refuse work that you is unsafe. havent you guys seen those dramatic public service announcements? :lol:

[Drthorne]

Is there anything stopping a trucking company or truck stop from erecting a thing to drive through with firm brushes on the top to brush away the snow? Set it at a certain height and put grating underneath for the snow to fall through. Then you just drive through, clean the majority of the snow off the top, and go on your merry way? (Only hinderance, besides the cost, which doesn't have to be too much, would be if there was a wide variance in height.)

I know very little about trucking, so this might not be a feasible idea, but don't shoot me for suggesting it.

yeah, a scraper or something... the MTO should have these setup at every truck inspection station, at least on the 400 highways

[goob3r]

Nope, still pretty narrow thinking. You are suggesting that every truck be retro-fitted with a heating element? Who's paying for that?
And if it snows, all trucks that are un-safe stop driving? How exactly do you propose to maintain the shelves around the province?

I agree snow on trucks are dangerous, but let's be real, does anyone know how many accidents were caused due to this problem in the last year?

I think you are the only narrow minded one here. It should be the shipping company that foots the bill of course in that situation. As well, it is not the only solution. Topher has a good idea.

All trucks that are unsafe SHOULD stop driving. Several years back there was a huge thing regarding truck tires flying off. Those that were unsafe were grounded. Same should apply with snow and ice.

I am positive that many of these incidents occur. I've had ice bombs pelted on my car from a truck. I thought it had smashed a windshield or my roof. Nothing was damaged, but it could have resulted in an accident. That is dangerous when people are travelling at 100km/h.

As well, labour laws may state that drivers can't clean off their trailers, but that doesn't mean MTO can't make it law that all trailers must be clean before taken on the highway. How the shipping companies go about it is their own issue and operating costs.

Like I said in another thread, same topic, a few people will have to die before this gets the attention of law makers. Hoepfully it's not one of your family members.

[Think]

Nope, still pretty narrow thinking. You are suggesting that every truck be retro-fitted with a heating element? Who's paying for that?
And if it snows, all trucks that are un-safe stop driving? How exactly do you propose to maintain the shelves around the province?

I agree snow on trucks are dangerous, but let's be real, does anyone know how many accidents were caused due to this problem in the last year?

It's members like you that create antoginism on forums...obviously your are very childish and added to my ignore list.

[billdozer]

Without people like him, forums would be pointless since there wouldn't be any discussion. If you don't want to hear the other side of the story, or other people's opinions, why bother posting? It seems you only want to hear what you want to hear. Respect other people's opinions as they do to yours and leave it as that. Not everyone thinks like you.

[Think]

Without people like him, forums would be pointless since there wouldn't be any discussion. If you don't want to hear the other side of the story, or other people's opinions, why bother posting? It seems you only want to hear what you want to hear. Respect other people's opinions as they do to yours and leave it as that. Not everybody thinks like you.


Where did you come from Jr? Do you go up to people and call them ignorant for suggesting a change in the safety of our streets?

Bizarre

Redflag has gone down a few more notches in my books:|

[15-20_God]

Where did you come from Jr? Do you go up to people and call them ignorant for suggesting a change in the safety of our streets?


hello pot, i am kettle. their views are just as relevant as yours. as for me, i think we need government intervention to pass a bill to make snowfall illegal. that should stop the safety issue of trucks passing on the right.

[Think]

hello pot, i am kettle. their views are just as relevant as yours. as for me, i think we need government intervention to pass a bill to make snowfall illegal. that should stop the safety issue of trucks passing on the right.

I think your sig is ignorant - how does that calculate when someone responds in that manner?

Compute?

[Ryan]

Relax.