Authorities Using Infra Red Device to Detect Faulty Brakes on Semi Trucks
One reason a semi truck poses such a danger of serious injury and fatal traffic crashes to other drivers on the road is because of its tremendous size and weight. Semi trucks often weigh close to 80,000 pounds compared to the average car that weighs closer to 3,500 pounds. Obviously, when a semi truck is traveling at moderate to high speeds, it takes a long distance to come to a complete stop for another vehicle, for stopped traffic, for a stop light and for various emergencies. Therefore, it is vitally important for a semi truck to have functioning and properly maintained brakes.
Having handled personal injury and wrongful death cases due to traffic accidents involving tractor trailers, we hear and read about accidents caused by semi trucks that have had the brakes "go out". It happens more than we would like to think, and when it does, the results can be catastrophic. One method police officers and other enforcement officers in various states are using to detect bad brakes and try and prevent serious traffic crashes is to examine the brakes with an infra-red camera. When the semi truck driver applies the brakes, the brakes should heat up. The infra-red camera can detect this heat, and the brakes will appear white through the camera. If the brakes are applied and the brakes do not heat up, there may be a problem with the operation of the semi truck's brakes and the vehicle can be taken out of service.
This new infra-red camera appears to be a good, low maintenance technique to help identify hazardous semi trucks driving on the roads with bad brakes and prevent traffic accidents caused by tractor trailers that are unable to stop for other vehicles..
