Unless it can be shown the tie downs were in bad enough shape they should not have been used, I don't believe he should face any punishment whatsoever.  If anything he should be praised for taking immediate safe action to prevent a more serious accident.  

It's ridiculous we're become such a ligitous society that we feel compelled to punish everything, even accidents. 

I get to be the judge? Oh, goodie. I say execute him.

For what crime, catpaw?  Aggravated battery?

The fines alone are a harsh punishment. If the roads were in better shape, most the the " Accidents" would not happen. But as it ALWAYS is, blame the truck drivers.

I'm not sure if the truck driver has any culpability in this case. Most drivers pick up loads where the containerization and loads are fitted and done by the workers at whatever facility the driver stops. I think the driver in this case was really on top of the situation and should be commended for helping to prevent what could have been a much worse scenario.

I'm surprised by the tone, and your commentary, that you don't consider a $200 fine for a heads up maneuver to save lives to be punishment enough for a failed support tie that the driver may not have any control over. It is always a good idea to try and get all the facts of a story before you start laying the blame.

Sounds like an accident to me.

--virgil

WOW, BNT, now asking if the fine is enough?  Do you have something against truck drivers?  Seems like it. 

As a Commercial Material Logistic and Transportation Engineer (lol) myself, it seems that he did it properly. If the strap broke, it's a good thing that he noticed it and slowed down before it was launched off a trailer doing 55 miles an hour and exploding all over the place.  I drove by the scene after it happened (I was going other way) and noticed the battery was not very far from the truck. 

It's bad enough that we all get blamed first rather than commended for preventing a larger incident, but what do you expect?  And don't get me started on the fines, California makes more than enough off of truck drivers with fines and such. 

Since I drive a truck, feel free to inquire about anything and I'll do my best to provide a common sense answer to you.

adam- it is the drivers responsibility for the security of his load at all times, even if he picks it up from another location.  As for this driver, it was a low-boy trailer. 

Everyone of us that have either been a truck driver, or still drive, know this will be thoroughly investigated. It sounds like he diverted something that could have resulted in casualties. I wouldn't think he would have driven off with a load that was strapped down with frayed straps. Most drivers are mindful of the fact that due to no fault of their own, they could be involved in an accident that takes a life. I never drove a flat bed, but I know checking the condition of your straps is a part of your vehicle inspection. Part of my pre-trip was asking for the Lord to be with me, and not let me be involved in an accident that might take a life. From what we know thus far, he should be commended rather than fined.

Popeye  agree with you on this. He surely checked his load when he picked it up and whenever he stopped. I know I did. It sounds like this was an accident, plain and simple. Lucky he caught it, it could have been MUCH worse.

And before its said...

Maybe he didn't check......and DON'T call me Shirley!

So does this mean you guys don't want to execute the truck driver?

Could have been other factors involved...weight of load...did the load require straps or chains/binders..etc....I say the driver did a good job to avoid any further damage or injury...but it's still his responsibity to check his equipment out before be-bopping down the road...as for the fine...that's up to after the investigation and what it says