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CDL · Driving Tank Vehicles

A tanker driver is approaching a bridge with a 35 mph advisory speed. What speed should they target for the approach?

Correct answer

Significantly less than 35 mph — bridge advisory speeds are calculated for standard passenger vehicles, not high-center-of-gravity loaded tankers; a tanker entering a curve at advisory speed may roll over while a passenger car handles it safely

  1. A 35 mph — that is the advised speed for the bridge
  2. B Significantly less than 35 mph — bridge advisory speeds are calculated for standard passenger vehicles, not high-center-of-gravity loaded tankers; a tanker entering a curve at advisory speed may roll over while a passenger car handles it safely
  3. C 50 mph
  4. D The same speed as on the approach highway

Why this is the answer

Advisory speed signs (yellow diamond, rectangular plate with speed in mph) are engineering calculations for the curve's radius and standard-vehicle dynamics. A loaded tanker has: higher center of gravity (more rollover susceptibility); liquid surge that adds lateral force in curves; larger mass with greater kinetic energy. The gap between a car's safe curve speed and a tanker's safe speed can be 15-25 mph on tight curves. Many tanker rollovers happen at or just above the posted advisory speed — which the driver assumed was safe because it was posted. The real safe speed is lower.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Chapter 10, Tank Vehicles, Bridge and Curve Advisory Speeds

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