CAN’T GET MUCH BIGGER Semitrucks Are Monster-Sized — and Legally Protected
legally, the most important name is a commercial motor vehicle . That means it’s governed by federal safety regulations.
As the weather improves, the country reopens, and travel increases, we’re more likely to encounter the largest vehicle roaming our highways: the semitruck.
The semitruck goes by many names — including semi-trailer, big rig, and 18-wheeler — but they’re all names for the same vehicle, and “tractor-trailer” may be the best way to describe it. The tractor is the engine and the cab where the trucker sits. The trailer carries the cargo and is attached to the tractor. But
Shockingly, there are no height limits under federal law. It’s set by states. Most limits range from 13 ½ to 14 feet. Federal law sets width at just over 102 inches, which is about 8 ½ feet. This measurement excludes safety equipment, such as mirrors. States can individually set the minimum required length of a trailer, but the absolute minimum is 48 feet. For a double trailer, meaning two trailers connected to the cab or tractor, the minimum length is 28 to 28 ½ feet. Weight is governed by a federal definition called the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and it’s the maximum amount for the vehicle to carry set by the manufacturer. To be considered a commercial motor vehicle, a truck must have a (GVWR) of at least 10,000 pounds. Tractor-trailers easily meet that definition, as most of them can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. As you can imagine, and may know from unfortunate personal experience, the size of semitrucks combined with highway speeds can cause horrific crashes with devastating impacts, resulting in severe injuries or even death. Worse for victims, these cases are extremely complicated — and from a legal standpoint, you may be under a supreme disadvantage almost from the moment of impact. To help understand that disadvantage AND start turning the tables in your favor, please call us at 888-230-1841.
Good News
THAI MINCED PORK SALAD
Inspired by EatingThaiFood.com
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. –Romans 8:25 Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. –Psalms 30:5
Ingredients
Directions 1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside.
•
5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice 1 lb ground pork 1/2 tbsp chili flakes
• • • • •
1/8 tsp sugar
1/2 tbsp fish sauce Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste 4 small shallots, thinly sliced 4 green onions, thinly sliced Cilantro leaves, to taste Mint leaves, to taste
•
3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, fry pork,
•
breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked.
• •
4. Remove from heat and add 1
heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice.
864.582.0416
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter