While most people are well aware that driving at higher rates of speed typically correspond with more collisions and more severe injuries, the risk posed by a forty ton tractor-trailer combination barreling down the freeway at excessive rates of speed makes this danger exponentially more frightening. Simple physics mean that a vehicle as massive as a tractor-trailer combination is less responsive and slower to stop than other vehicles even at legal rates of speed. When these vehicles speed down DeKalb County highways at rates of speed exceeding 65 mph, the consequences can be devastating. Fortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently studying the benefits of requiring speed limiter devices on tractor-trailers that will prevent them from exceeding 65 mph.
The study being conducted by the FMCSA confirms the common sense trucking accident safety benefits of installing speed inhibitors on large commercial trucks. Preliminary results from the study revealed that speed limiting devices on tractor-trailer combinations reduce the rate of collisions involving these vehicles by fifty percent. The force of impact of most trucking accidents routinely cause severe injuries. Further, virtually all of these debilitating injuries are experienced by occupants of the other vehicle. This means that installing speed inhibitors on tractor-trailers might significantly reduce the number of catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths caused by trucking accidents in DeKalb County and the surrounding areas of Georgia.
Some commercial carriers that already use speed limiting devices have lauded the benefits indicating that they have experienced substantial improvements in safety records from use of the speed limiters installed on their fleets. These anecdotal reports are now supported by a data based study indicating the safety benefits of preventing commercial drivers from exceeding 65 miles per hour. Fortunately, many safety oriented commercial carriers support making the speed limiters standard for the entire trucking industry.
The U.S. is the only industrialized country that does not already require use of speed limiters that restrict tractor-trailer speed to 65 mph. The trucking industry may not resist this change because trucking companies currently employing this safety technology have experienced other economic benefits beyond improved safety records. The speed limiter devices also have been successful in generating savings in fuel, tire and other vehicle operation expenses.
Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years of Experience to Work For You
If you are involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer caused by a speeding truck driver, both the truck driver and commercial carrier might be financial responsible for injuries or fatalities caused by truck drivers that fail to obey the posted speed limit or drive at an unsafe given traffic and weather conditions.
Montlick and Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries or wrongful death for over thirty years throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
