Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which means that they can cause serious or catastrophic injuries when involved in accidents. The federal government, in an effort to reduce trucking accidents, has implemented federal regulations since 1998 that require trucks, semi-trailers, or heavy truck tractors to be equipped with Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the installation of ABS on large trucks has helped decrease the number of trucking accidents by three percent, especially in jack-knifing accidents and off-road overturns.
Antilock Braking Systems Are Designed To Help Truckers
Antilock Braking Systems are designed to help truckers have better control of their vehicle in certain road conditions where hard braking is necessary. Trucks without ABS normally force drivers to pump their brakes when encountering slippery road conditions to make sure their vehicle does not spin out of control due to locked up wheels. The ABS uses a sensor on each wheel to regulate brake pressure if needed, allowing wheels to coordinate and operate in a similar speed range.
In a truck without ABS, the driver loses steering control over a locked-up wheel when the wheel locks up or stops turning and skids on the road. In a vehicle equipped by ABS, the sensors on the wheels watch the wheels’ rotation. When one wheel locks up due to too much brake application, the sensors would then send signals to the vehicle’s computer to release some of the applied brake line pressure. This allows the locked up wheel to turn again so that the driver can regain control of the steering wheel.
Hard Braking Does Not Feel Natural
For ABS to fully work in an emergency situation, the vehicle’s brake pedal has to quickly be squeezed hard and remain held there. The problem is that hard braking does not feel natural for most drivers, especially since they have been taught for years not to press too hard on the brake pedal. Also, when the brake pedal is hit hard, the driver may hear some different noises as the ABS works. This may make drivers feel as if they’re hurting the vehicle, so they tend to ease off the brakes, even in an emergency situation. This can result in an unnecessary rear end truck accident, jack-knifing accident and off-road overturn
Antilock Braking Systems Have Their Limitations
Antilock Braking Systems are practically the most significant vehicle safety development since the invention of seatbelts. However, ABS can’t completely prevent truck accidents because they, too, have their limitations. Many drivers of ABS-equipped trucks don’t know how to use such safety devices fully. In fact, some truckers mistakenly believe that ABS can perform miracles, so they tend to become less careful when driving their vehicle.
Many large trucks equipped with ABS are still involved in road accidents. It’s not the ABS causing the problem, but the inadequately trained truckers. By thinking that they can always make a safe stop anytime with the ABS, they tend to drive faster, brake harder later, and try turning corners faster than they did before. The result of such driving behaviors can be very devastating.
If you have been injured in a truck accident due to the recklessness or negligence of a truck driver, speak with an experienced truck accident injury lawyer from Willens Law Offices to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
