Arizona Interstates and highways have high volumes of U-Haul and Penske, other company trucks, and personal vehicles, towing trailers, ATVs, boats and other cargo.
Towing mistakes can be made, leading to crashes and serious injuries. The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) states that nearly 400 people were killed in 2012, when mobile home, boat or cargo trailers became unattached or caused other accidents. 4,500 people died in towing related crashes between 2002 and 2012.
Safety issues that are important include the combined length of the vehicle and trailer, the width of what is being towed, and its height. Speeding while towing can be hazardous. Special mirrors may be necessary. Extra weight and speed can make braking difficult. Insufficient tongue weight on the tow vehicle’s hitch may affect movement of the trailer.
I represented the son of parents who were killed on the Beeline Highway, in Gila County. A trailer had detached from a vehicle going downhill, the couple had tried to render aid to the driver of the towing vehicle on the side of the road. Another driver was not paying attention to roadway conditions and her vehicle slammed into the detached trailer, killing the couple and severely injuring the other driver. A Gila County jury in Globe determined the fault and damages for the wrongful deaths and the injuries suffered by the parties.