New speed-limiting technology may prevent truck accidents | The Law Offices of Tyler & Peery

On Behalf of | Sep 6, 2016 | Legislation, Truck Accidents |

Most drivers have experienced the anxiety of seeing a big rig rapidly approaching in the rearview mirror. On the other hand, many have also driven behind 18-wheelers that block multiple lanes by traveling well below the posted speed. Either of these situations may remind a driver how a truck accident can change lives in the blink of an eye. In an effort to reduce those incidents, the U.S. Transportation Department recently proposed a new law that would slow trucks down on the highways.

The proposed law would require newly manufactured trucks and buses heavier than 26,000 pounds to be equipped with speed-limiting devices. The instruments would prevent vehicles from surpassing a certain speed. The department suggests a safer speed for trucks would fall between 60 and 68 miles per hour, but the final decision will depend on the public’s reaction.

The American Trucking Association endorses the idea and has been lobbying for such technology for years. The association also advocates for a lower national speed limit for trucks. Other groups are not so enthusiastic. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, for example, feels that, with the new technology, drivers would not be able to speed up to avoid a collision. They also believe that trucks traveling at lower speeds may create dangerous interactions with faster moving cars.

No matter which side of the debate one chooses, not many will dispute the destruction a big rig can cause in an accident. Colliding with a truck may leave one with serious injuries, if a person is fortunate enough to survive. There may be lengthy hospital stays, on-going medical expenses or even funeral costs. Many find that the best way to afford quality care after a catastrophic truck accident is to contact a lawyer about pursuing a personal injury claim.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-transportation-speed-idUSKCN1111RO