The trucking industry is undeniably a linchpin of the American economy. All kinds of materials are hauled every day on the roads. Some of these are dangerous. This means that when an accident happens with a truck carrying hazardous materials, the delays can stretch for hours and cause damage to the local area. An accident like this may have just happened according to WWLTV.com. State police say that a car collided with a tanker truck near the Gramercy exit on I-10. The accident happened just before rush hour. The tanker caught fire from the impact. That fire spread to another vehicle. It is unreported what material the trucker was hauling, but it has been said it was a corrosive material. When DOTD came to investigate, they said they had to bring out a hazmat crew to assess the situation. Delays of 4-5 hours were reported while the crews worked to put out the flames and remove the vehicles. No report was made about the condition of the drivers in the matter. While many drivers fear to be near a tanker, it may be safer than being around other commercial vehicles. Driving a tanker requires certifications and licensing that goes well beyond what is required to drive an 18-wheeler. That said, if you drive unsafely around them an accident may be unavoidable. Always leave extra room so they can stop.