Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Because not many bicycles have windshields?
However, if you stop to think about the mechanics of a truck wheel coming off (a pretty rare thing), or the more common tread delamination or blowout, it would seem that directly behind the truck is going to be one of the safer places. If a wheel came off, it A) would have some outward momentum from wobbling against the lug bolts; and B) unless it was on the rearmost axle, would hit the wheel behind and bounce away to the side.
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Tractor-trailer wheels are not the same as car wheels. With split rim truck/trailer wheels it isn't the actual wheel coming off that is the danger, but the very heavy steel retaining ring that
blows off that is so dangerous - and it isn't that uncommon. Frankly, I've never seen a trailer wheel come off (except in pieces) but I have often seen wheels that have blown apart with the ring acting as a projectile. After years of being in a truck-driving family and seeing what these things can do I never stay anywhere near the wheels of trucks on the highway.