Truck Accident Terms and Definitions

Tandem Axle (Tandems) Pair of axles and associated suspension usually located close together. Kingpin Pin around which a steer axle's wheels pivot. Dead-Heading Operating a truck without cargo. 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. AVL (Automated Vehicle Location) Class of technologies designed to locate vehicles for fleet management purposes and for stolen vehicle recovery Cargo Weight Combined weight of all loads, gear and supplies on a vehicle. 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. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Maximum weight an axle is rated to carry by the manufacturer. Includes both the weight of the axle and the portion of a vehicle's weight carried by the axle.

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	Did You Know?
	There Are Exceptions To The Hours-Of-Service Rules. Vehicles used in ground water well-drilling operations, utility service, and transporting construction materials and equipment retain the current 24-hour restart provision. However, these drivers are required to comply with the new 10-hour off-duty and 11-hour driving limitations, as well as the prohibition on driving after the 14th hour after coming on duty.