A multivehicle collision last month on Interstate 70 near the Eisenhower Johnson Memorial Tunnel has sparked renewed focus on truck safety in Colorado’s mountainous regions. The incident involved two tractor trailers, resulting in injuries to five individuals, one of whom was critically hurt. The crash not only caused significant personal injuries but also led to the closure of I-70 for over eight hours, highlighting the high stakes involved in mountain corridor transportation.
The driver of one of the trucks was cited for reckless driving after he lost control of his brakes, which caused both trucks to swerve dangerously across three lanes of traffic and through a guardrail. They then descended down an embankment into oncoming traffic, illustrating the potential for catastrophic consequences when commercial vehicles are involved in accidents in mountainous terrain.
While this particular accident was severe, the issue of brake failure among commercial vehicles in mountain areas is an ongoing concern. Scott Maurer and Joe Trussell, who operate CDL 303, the only commercial driver’s license school in the U.S. offering a specialized mountain training program, are dedicated to preventing similar accidents in the future. Their goal is straightforward: “to get everybody home safe, every night,” as Trussell, the school’s operations manager, emphasizes.
Regular travelers on I-70 are aware that winter weather often leads to road closures from September through May. Such closures can occur for various reasons, but involving a semitruck—whether at fault or not—complicates matters. When a truck loses traction, jackknifes, or is part of a collision, the implications extend beyond immediate safety risks, as clean-up and road recovery take much more time and often affect multiple traffic lanes.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reports that every hour I-70 remains closed results in an economic loss surpassing $1 million, affecting areas 100 miles or more from the site of the incident. Interestingly, summer accidents on the same busy corridor also occur frequently, even under dry conditions. According to Craig Hurst, CDOT’s freight and mobility manager, “the vast majority of crashes on the I-70 (mountain) corridor happen in sunny and dry weather.”
To combat the growing number of accidents involving trucks, organizations like CDOT, the Colorado State Patrol, and the Colorado Motor Carriers Association are implementing various strategies. These include enforcing chain laws, imposing fines, and launching outreach and education campaigns to elevate awareness of mountain driving safety. Captain John Hahn, commander of CSP’s motor carrier safety section, notes that 92% of runaway truck incidents are attributed to out-of-state drivers with less than five years of driving experience.
Many of these drivers encounter the I-70 mountain corridor for the first time, making their lack of profound knowledge particularly perilous. Over-reliance on brakes during descents often results from inexperience, exacerbating the risks associated with mountain driving. Achieving safety on Colorado’s highways requires focused efforts to educate those new to this unique driving environment.
To address the knowledge gaps prevalent among out-of-state drivers, Hurst’s team employs various outreach methods. In-cab messaging alerts truckers as they approach hazardous zones, including specific tunnel areas and steep descents. Additionally, educational programming such as Road Dog Trucking on SiriusXM and “The Mountain Rules” YouTube videos aim to inform truckers about the best practices for mountain driving.
Maurer, who transitioned to trucking three years ago after teaching welding at Emily Griffith High School and Metropolitan State University of Denver, recognized the importance of effective training for commercial drivers. He founded CDL 303 after feeling that the existing training received during his CDL education lacked crucial components. He noted, “I really like teaching and I felt like I could contribute more to the (trucking) industry through education.”
Initially aiming to provide high-quality CDL training in Colorado, CDL 303 has gained momentum partnering with RoadAware Safety Systems. This collaboration provides an app that offers real-time support and guidance as drivers navigate their routes. The RoadAware app sends alerts for upcoming curves and declivities, recommending safe speeds tailored to each truck’s size and load.
This partnership led to the creation of an online mountain driving course, which is accessible to all CDL drivers, although it is offered for free to students at CDL 303. Trussell highlights the pressing reality that most accidents involving commercial vehicles on I-70 can be traced back to out-of-state drivers who are not adequately trained. He notes, “To me, that points to a lack of training and a lack of knowledge.”
CDL 303’s emphasis on mountain driving stems from Maurer’s prior experience driving in Colorado’s mountains, a skill he felt he lacked during his CDL training. Prior to hauling loads, he took his flatbed truck into the mountains and taught himself how to navigate the terrain’s sharp curves and steep inclines. The mountain training offered through CDL 303 now consists of four levels, with the highest providing hands-on instruction over three days, including actual driving experiences on I-70.
“Our mountain training course covers everything — how to use an engine brake, how to negotiate curves, steep descents, mountain weather, high winds, and chain-up procedures,” Trussell explains. This comprehensive program is designed not just to provide safety for the truck drivers but also protect the motoring public as well.
While some trucking fleets conduct their own mountain-specific training, CDL 303 distinguishes itself as the only public school known to implement engineering- and science-based methodologies to improve training. Recognizing the need for enhanced education on mountain driving, CDOT is initiating a pilot scholarship program with CDL 303. This program aims to make mountain driving coursework accessible for drivers renewing their CDL or seeking additional training.
Hurst articulates the collaborative efforts at the state level, emphasizing the importance of proving that comprehensive safety measures must be continuously developed to improve mountain driving. The ambition is to enhance federal requirements for training related to mountain driving.
Although commercial vehicles frequently catch the brunt of blame during highway accidents, Captain Hahn insists that crashes involving trucks are actually decreasing. He highlights a crucial point: many accidents that include trucks are not necessarily the fault of those vehicles or their drivers.
Speed remains the predominant cause of collisions on this busy roadway. As Colorado’s roadways grow more congested, Hahn asserts that it’s equally critical for passenger vehicle drivers to recognize their responsibility for safety. Maintaining safe speeds and exhibiting caution around commercial trucks is essential—whether by keeping distance when following, passing, or traveling ahead of them.
It is important to note the limitations that commercial drivers face, including expansive blind spots alongside, behind, and in front of their vehicles, as well as the extended stopping distances required for these large trucks. Hahn offers a simple yet vital piece of advice to drivers: “If you think you’re giving them enough distance, give them more.”
image source from：coloradosun
