Traffic.

Accidents.

Unsafe drivers.

Natural disasters.

Animals in the road.

There are countless distractions, hurdles and annoyances to avoid when trucking freight.  

But what about drunk people who decide climbing on your rig would be funny?

On June 18, allegedly after a night out drinking, a young man in Ohio took his friend up on a bet to climb aboard a trailer stopped at a red light. The rig was a grain hauler, so a vertical ladder on the back made a convenient spot for Brandon Farmer to hold onto while riding the trailer to the next stoplight.

The only problem?

This bet took place after three o’clock in the morning, and with little traffic on the road, the truck kept rolling through green light after green light. In fact, Farmer was stuck on the back of the trailer for more than 17 miles.

The driver had no idea he was carrying a stow-away, and likely would have kept driving if Farmer hadn’t called 911. The emergency dispatcher determined the truck’s location, and alerted local law enforcement, who stopped the unsuspecting driver.

Farmer was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, for which he pled guilty and paid a fine of $110 plus $95 in court fees.

For a stunt that could have resulted in serious injury or death, a few hundred dollars isn’t too bad. But, what if Farmer had gotten hurt? Although the driver had no idea anyone was riding on the back of his trailer, the grain hauler’s ladder creates surprising legal ramifications.

Check back next week to learn how accessories that help drivers safely unload their cargo can also be a liability.