Truck Accident Terms and Definitions

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. Cargo Weight Combined weight of all loads, gear and supplies on a vehicle. TOFC (Trailer On Flatcar) Method of moving cargo which involves transporting semitrailers on railroad flat cars. Dead-Heading Operating a truck without cargo. Landing Gear legs which support the front of a semitrailer when it is not coupled to a tractor. 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. Cabover (Cab-Over-Engine, COE) Truck or tractor design in which the cab sits over the engine on the chassis. 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

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	Did You Know?
	A Driver May Be On Duty For More Than 14 Hours. A driver may remain on duty for more than 14 hours; however, the driver cannot drive a CMV after the 14th hour after coming on duty. Also, the additional on-duty time will reduce on-duty time available under the 60/70-hour time limit.