Effective August 24, 2015, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) will require electronic stability control (ESC) systems on tractor-trailers and buses. This new safety standard will likely reduce and/or prevent many serious accidents involving large trucks and buses. According to the NHTSA, one-third of all fatal truck accidents can be prevented with the installation of these new safety systems.
How Does ESC Work?
Electronic stability control systems can detect loss of traction using computerized technology. The system is designed to automatically apply the brakes and help steer the vehicle in the right direction. The system will be required in trucks and buses that have a gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds. ESC uses automatic computer-controlled braking. The new rules could potentially prevent between 1400 to 1800 truck accidents per year, prevent many injuries and save lives.
Other New Truck Safety Technology:
Volvo trucks are equipped with the following safety systems:
- Collision Warning with Emergency Brake: The collision warning and braking system help prevent accidents that are due to a driver's inattention.
- Driver Alert Support: Advises over-tired truck drivers that it's time to take a break.
- Lane Changing Support: This system can detect vehicles in the passenger-side blind spot.
- Lane Keeping Support: This system can detect when a truck drifts out of its lane and alerts the driver.
Truck Accident Statistics:
- There are approximately 15.5 million trucks on American roads.
- 75% of commercial truck accidents are caused by car drivers.
- Truck accident fatalities result in costs of $20 billion every year.
- About 22% of truck accidents cause some type of injury.
- About 130,000 people are injured every year from truck accidents.
- 30% of truck accidents are caused by driver fatigue.
Contributing Factors in Fatigue Related Trucking Accidents:
- Fatigue is a factor in many trucking-related accidents. Truckers routinely drive for 12 to 14 hours at a time, which can leave them incredibly fatigued. Other factors leading to truck driver fatigue include:
- Trying to meet tight deadlines and driving more miles than legally allowed
- Being ordered by the trucking company to work more hours than is reasonable
- A desire to make more money
How to Avoid Accident Involving Large Trucks:
Accidents involving large commercial trucks are not always the fault of the truck driver. Following are ways to avoid a collision with a large commercial truck:
- Never pass a truck while it's making a turn.
- Always let the truck have the right of way.
- When passing a large truck, be sure you are well ahead of the truck before merging into the right lane.
- Always remember that trucks have very large blind spots. If you can't see the driver's mirrors, the truck driver probably can't see you.
- Maintain a following distance of at least four seconds when behind a large truck, just in case the truck has to make an emergency stop.
A Sarasota or Bradenton trucking accident case can be more complicated than a typical car accident case. There are state and federal laws that are unique to trucking accidents. If you have been involved in an accident with a large commercial truck and you have sustained injuries, you may be able to seek compensation from the trucking company's insurance carrier.
Sarasota and Bradenton Trucking Accident Attorney:
If you have been injured in a Sarasota or Bradenton trucking accident due to the negligence of a truck driver, please contact Michael L. Morgan Law Group, P.A., at (941) 218-8220. If the truck driver acted negligently, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, future loss of income and pain and suffering. Please call us to schedule a free consultation.
