When driving a loaded tanker and approaching a curve, what is the primary danger related to tank design?

Tanker rollover is the most common serious tanker accident type and is directly caused by the interaction of two factors: HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY — liquid tankers have a much higher center of gravity than dry freight because all the weight is in a single cylindrical container high above the axles; LIQUID MOVEMENT — when a partially filled tank goes into a curve, the liquid can shift toward the outside of the turn, adding lateral momentum that makes rollover more likely than with a solid load of the same weight.

Critical numbers: A tank that is 80% full or less is more dangerous than one that is completely full, because the liquid has room to surge; a full tank moves as a single unit, a partially filled tank allows the liquid to amplify the destabilizing forces; the worst fill level is typically 50-70%.

Safe driving adjustments: Reduce speed significantly before entering curves — do not wait until you are in the curve to brake; take curves at well below the posted advisory speed (those speeds are for standard vehicles, not high-CG tankers); know your vehicle's specific center-of-gravity characteristics; never trust that your speed 'feels' safe — rollover happens suddenly without warning signs.