NHTSA Sets New Truck Braking Rules

Stopping a large truck who's experiencing braking problems is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult task, even with all those runaway ramps available on some highways around the world. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration intends to reduce the number of accidents caused by braking failures by reducing the overall braking distance of large trucks.

How exactly? Well, the NHTSA has announced a new set of braking rules that will improve large truck stopping distance by 30 percent and is expected to save 227 lives and prevent 300 serious injuries each year, as the Administration said in an official press release.

To be more specific, the new standard requires a tractor-trailer traveling with 60 mph to come to a halt in 250 feet (that's around 76 meters), compared to initial rules which only required a complete stop in 355 feet (108 meters).

“Safety is our highest priority,” Secretary LaHood said. “Motorists deserve to know they are sharing the road with large trucks that are up to the safest possible standards, so they can get home alive to their families.”

The new regulation, which is expected to reduce property damages by approximately $169 million annually, will come into effect in 2012.

It appears that large commercial vehicles are still dangerous for all motorists on the world, with this type of vehicles involved in 4,229 fatal crashes in 2008. However, the number of accidents involving trucks tend to decrease, as 2008 figures are down 12 percent from the 4,822 deaths recorded in 2007.