Commercial Trucking Brake Safety Standards
Trucks have a considerably different braking system than cars. Car brakes rely on a hydraulic system, in which fluid flows through the brake system to engage the brakes. Currently, the majority of tractors in the United States use drum brakes. Air disc brakes offer a shiny alternative, but American companies have been slow to accept them. Disc brakes boast many improvements on drum brakes, but the price for their greater efficiency is about $200 more per unit. Brake manufacturer Bedix Spicer say benefits of air disc brakes include, nearly 40 percent reduction of stopping distances when compared with drum brakes, elimination of brake fade, a common problem with drum brakes, and no increase in the wear of disc pads on a tractor or brake linings on a trailer.
It is fantastic to see that cost cutting does not take priority over safety. Although the new brakes cost slightly more, if their implementation manages to save one life then there is no question that the right choice has been made by law makers. Unfortunately, the trucking industry can never be 100% safe and accidents and collisions will continue to plaque roadways. Please remember to be safe out there and treat large commercial trucks with the respect they deserve. More information about current truck driver safety standards can be found on my Utah Truck Accident Attorney website.
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- Brakes
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