Dallas, 09/21/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/
Could speed-limiting technology reduce the number of serious and deadly semi-truck crashes in Atlanta and elsewhere in the United States? That’s what federal regulators have proposed.
According to a proposed rule prepared by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), any vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds would be required by law to be fitted with a speed-limited device in the event the proposed rule passes.
As Atlanta truck accident lawyers of 1800 Truck Wreck , we are always interested in new technology that could reduce truck crashes and save lives.
Setting a Limit on Semi Speed
According to the executive summary of the agencies’ proposed rule, studies show that semi-truck crashes that occur at high speeds are more serious than low-speed crashes. This may sound obvious, but it’s important to have the science to back up the reasoning behind rules like this, as the trucking industry often fights back against proposed safety regulations. As speed increases so does kinetic energy – something that is especially relevant in crashes involving heavy, massive tractor-trailers. Higher speeds also reduce the effectiveness of existing safety features, such as restraint devices, highway barriers, and guardrails.
As reported in Occupational Health & Safety magazine, the NHTSA and FMCSA have not indicated at what speed they will set the cap, but they have considered several different speed limits, including 60, 65, and 68 miles per hour. In addition to saving lives and reducing truck accidents, the agencies also say the use of speed caps would save $1 billion in fuel costs annually.
Currently, the proposed rule would not require semi-truck operators and carriers to retrofit their vehicles to include speed-limiting devices, as regulators have decided that the costs of doing so would be excessive. If passed as-is, the new rule would only mandate speed-limiting technology in newly manufactured tractor-trailers. However, the rule could change as it makes its way through the public comment and final approval process.
What You Can Do to Stay Safe around Semis
Any time you drive on the highway, you can expect to share the road with semi-trucks. Although you can’t control how truck operators drive, there are several things you can do to stay safer behind the wheel.
- Stay out of a semi-truck’s blind spots
- Obey speed limits and traffic rules
- Don’t follow a semi too closely
- If you are in front of a semi-truck, give yourself plenty of time to stop
- Give semis plenty of room when passing them
You should also avoid any distractions, such as a cell phone, that take your eyes off the road.
Call an Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer about Your Case
If you have been injured in a semi-truck crash, you need the help and guidance of an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer. The accidents lawyers at Eberstein & Witherite, LLP help clients in Atlanta and the surrounding communities get justice and compensation for their injuries. Call us today to receive a free case evaluation. 1-800-878-2597.
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Are Fatal Truck Wrecks Increasing?
Tips Truck Drivers Should Use to Safely Share the Road with Passenger Vehicles
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