When we hit the road as part of our daily routines, we are all putting significant faith in the idea that we will arrive at our destinations safely. We can be the most experienced and defensive drivers, but one thing can go wrong and tragically impact our lives.
Truck accidents specifically can create a wave of destruction, which is why there are so many safety regulations meant to reduce the risk of big rig accidents on the roadways. One crucial part of trucking safety laws is vehicle maintenance.
Week-Long Brake Safety Effort This September
American Trucker discusses this year’s Brake Safety Week. During the week of Sept. 16-22, inspectors are to be thoroughly inspecting commercial vehicles. While the inspections will include looking at all aspects of a truck’s maintenance, extra focus will be applied to the safety of vehicles’ brake systems.
Why Stop to Focus on Brakes?
Stop and think about how much time you might need to hit your brakes in your passenger vehicle when a crisis arises. Maybe you have gotten lucky in the past and avoided a rear-end collision because you stopped in time and your brakes worked.
When a large commercial vehicle like a semi-truck needs to stop, the weight of the vehicle means it needs more time to stop compared to a standard automobile. It has more weight and force behind it. Not only does that mean it needs more time, but if the brakes do not work and the truck can’t stop, the extra size and force can lead to greater destruction and injury.
Focusing on brakes, therefore, is an important step toward preventing severe trucking accidents. Plus, history also shows that brakes are a source of too many accidents. Accident studies indicate that more than 30 percent of trucks involved in accidents that had existing problems before the crashes had brake problems specifically.
Hopes for Improved Truck Safety
Truckers and others in the trucking industry shouldn’t see the week of safety inspections as a sort of sting operation. Instead, it is like an annual checkup to ensure that the roads are safer than in years past. Last year, the inspections resulted in placing 14 percent of trucks out of service.
This year, the hope is that the percentage of trucks with unsafe brakes is much lower. Properly maintained brakes mean safer commercial vehicles. Safer commercial vehicles mean safer drivers and safer roads for everyone.
The negligent maintenance of commercial vehicles is a common cause behind serious truck accidents in Texas and throughout the country. Despite safety efforts like Brake Safety Week, negligence finds its way onto the roads and leads to injury. If you have been hurt in a truck accident and need help holding a commercial driver and/or company accountable, talk to a personal injury lawyer immediately.
