system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do European trucks have a flat "face", but North American trucks do not.
gpt
The flat fronted trucks are called "cab-overs". They were fairly popular in the US a few decades ago when overall length (truck and trailer) was a factor in legality. However, nowadays, the standard van trailer is capped at 53 feet in the US--when it's connected to a conventional truck, they're still legal. Longer trailers typically require permits.

The advantages of a conventional truck include a softer ride since you aren't sitting directly above an axle, a simpler design, and more space in the sleeper. These traits are extremely desirable on straight, wide open US roads where you cover long distances (Texas is about 800 miles to drive across--about the same distance as Manchester to Zurich!). The main disadvantage of conventional trucks is the longer wheelbase. This makes the vehicle less maneuverable and many areas in Europe still base legality on overall length of cab + trailer. Further, the better maneuverability of cab-overs pairs well with the tighter, curvier European roads.