Making Existing Safety Technology a Requirement
November 22, 2018
There is no question that truck accidents are some of the most devastating traffic collisions that occur on roads and highways across the country. Because of the massive size and weight of large commercial trucks, it is almost always the occupants of the passenger vehicles that suffer the most devastating injuries.
According to recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 4,760 people were fatally injured in truck accidents in 2017.
Increased safety, including making two existing safety technologies a requirement in large trucks, could help prevent many of these tragic accidents.
Applying New Technology
A recent survey released by Road Safe America found that voters in the United States support efforts to make speed limiters and automatic emergency braking (AEB) mandatory in all large trucks. Taking into account that both of these technologies have been proven effective, and the number of fatal truck accidents have gone up by 41 percent since 2009, many believe that it is simple common-sense to make them a requirement.
According to the co-founder of Road Safe America, who lost his son in a truck accident, by requiring truck drivers to use their speed limiters and AEB, it could prevent future accidents from occurring.
Survey Results
The survey was conducted over the course of a week in September of 2018. Participants included general election voters from across the country.
Researchers found the following results:
- Forty-five percent of voters strongly favored requiring speed limiters
- Thirteen percent of voters opposed the use of speed limiters
- Seventy-nine percent of voters were in favor of setting speed limiters to a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour
- Eighty-two percent of voters were in favor of AEB
- Fifty percent of voters were strongly in favor of AEB
- Nine percent of voters were opposed to AEB
Further Supporting Data
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a study. which found that trucks that did not use their built-in speed limiters were involved in twice as many high-speed collisions, compared to trucks that were using them.
AED technology has also been proven to help avoid collisions. In fact, the NHTSA reports that approximately 2,500 crashes can be prevented each year using the current generation of AEB systems. Yet it is also not a requirement for commercial trucks.
While the NHTSA did submit a petition to make AEB a requirement in all trucks, they missed the final report deadline, which was due in September.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Truck Accident Victims
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you are urged to contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton at your earliest convenience. These are some of the most devastating accidents, often resulting in life-threatening, potentially fatal injuries. We will work tirelessly to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve and ensure that your legal rights are protected. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, 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, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, 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.
