Regulators Propose Speed Limiters to Reduce Truck Accidents

Sep 6, 2016

In an effort to reduce truck accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have proposed a new requirement that heavy-duty vehicles be equipped with speed limiting devices.

The proposed speed limiters would cap the maximum speeds of trucks and similar large vehicles to between 60 and 68 miles per hour. The NHTSA and FMCSA estimate this action could prevent 27 to 500 fatalities each year, while also cutting fuel costs by $1 billion annually.

In 2014, there were approximately 476,000 accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and passenger buses. These accidents can be deadly for heavy-duty vehicle drivers and motorists in smaller vehicles as well. In fact, seven of 10 fatalities in these crashes were motorists in smaller vehicles.

If you find yourself in need of a qualified truck accident attorney in Tulsa, give our team a call at The Edwards Law Firm today.

Avoiding Truck Accidents

Follow these safety tips to avoid being involved in an accident with a truck or other large vehicle:

  • Avoid driving in blind spots. These ‘no zones’ extend 20 feet in front of and 30 feet behind the vehicle, as well as the area on the side of the vehicle right behind the driver.
  • Allow extra space when passing. Never pass in the right lane, and do not begin a passing maneuver from a heavy-duty vehicle’s blind spot.
  • Never pass in the space created by the vehicle’s swing away from the curb. Large vehicles need as much as a 55-foot radius to complete turns.
  • Do not cut off a truck or large vehicle. Due to their weight and size, large vehicles can sometimes take 40 percent longer to come to a stop than smaller vehicles.

Get Help From Our Tulsa Truck Accident Attorneys

If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Allow the truck accident lawyers at The Edwards Law Firm to guide you through the process and fight to maximize your compensation. Contact us today to get started.