Government Requiring New Brakes for Semi Trucks to Reduce Serious Traffic Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced tougher standards on braking systems for tractor trailers that will reduce the stopping distance for such large trucks by 30%. Large semi trucks have different braking systems than passenger cars and obviously take longer and more distance to stop safely due to their sizes and weights. Additionally, the size and placement of a load in a semi truck also affect how quickly a semi truck driver can stop the vehicle. When a semi truck driver is not skilled in driving his/her particular truck and does not apply the brakes correctly, serious accidents can result. Additionally, when brakes on a semi truck are not maintained properly, it can increase braking time causing serious accidents. Other factors can also affect a semi truck's braking time. Even if a semi truck has the best braking system available, if the semi truck driver is fatigued from driving over hours or is not paying attention to his/her surroundings, braking times can increase.
The NHTSA estimates that the new braking standards for tractor trailers will reduce accidents, save 227 lives a year and prevent 300 serious injuries per year.
We have seen many serious accidents caused by tractor trailer drivers who did not stop their trucks in time and ran into another vehicle or a whole line of vehicles stopped in traffic. These kinds of traffic accidents often result in multiple, serious injuries. The new braking standard should be helpful in reducing accidents, at least as the standard relates to the equipment on the semi truck. Unfortunately, implementation of the new standard will not begin until 2012, and it will take four years for it to be completely phased in.
