Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Reducing Speed and Crashes
February 13, 2017
The average 18-wheeler weighs a staggering 80,000 pounds, or 40 tons, which is approximately 20 to 30 times heavier than the average passenger vehicle. Tractor-trailers also require up to 40 times more distance to come to a complete stop than a car. If one of these large trucks loses control on a busy highway, or even a less populated country road, it can result in catastrophic damage to the vehicles involved. The injuries suffered by the victims can be devastating, often fatal. If the driver of the truck was speeding at the time, the resulting injuries are likely to be even worse. A recent study shows that the number of truck accidents can be reduced if drivers travel at a safe speed, and avoid exceeding posted speed limits.
According to a 2012 federally-funded study conducted by the Virginia Tech University Transportation Institute and the American Transportation Research Institute, speed has a significant impact on the incidence of truck accidents. When truck drivers reduce their speed, the number of truck crashes decreases. The study analyzed data from 20 fleets, 15,000 crashes, and 138,000 trucks.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a new rule stating that all commercial vehicles should be equipped with Speed Limiters. This would prevent trucks from being able to exceed a maximum speed of 68 miles per hour. NHTSA used the results from study mentioned above as supporting evidence for this proposed new rule.
Trucking Lobbyists Are Against Speed Limiters
While many people support the proposal and recognize the potential safety benefits, others are against the speed limiter rule. There are anti-safety trucking industry lobbyists who object to the proposal, claiming that it is unfair to truck drivers. They insisted that, if trucks must come equipped with Speed Limiters, then the NHTSA should institute a national maximum traffic speed limit of 65 miles per hour. Doing so would maintain an equal differential between trucks and cars.
Despite the objections from lobbyists, there is overwhelming evidence that reducing speed can prevent crashes, and that the safety benefits clearly outweigh the potential dangers of speed differentials. If the proposal is approved and the Speed Limiter mandate is implemented, it can improve overall traffic safety, resulting in fewer, and less severe injuries.
Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims Injured in Truck Crashes
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a truck accident involving a truck driver who was exceeding the speed limit, you are urged to contact the reputable Maryland truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Speeding can increase the severity of a victim’s injuries and we will conduct a thorough investigation into the details of your accident to determine liability. We will fight hard on your behalf in order to secure the maximum financial compensation that you deserve. We will not stop until justice has been served. To schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our experienced Maryland truck accident lawyers, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
