NHTSA to require trucks cut stopping distance

ERJ staff report (TB)

WASHINGTON (July 24, 2009) - Most new heavy-duty trucks sold in the U.S. after Aug. 1, 2011, will have to be able to stop 30 percent shorter than the norm today, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) directive issued today.

Citing evidence the change will save lives and cut serious injuries, NHTSA is amending the existing safety rule, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, Air Brake Systems, for about 99 percent of the heavy trucks sold in the U.S.

NHTSA states there are a number of “simple and effective manufacturing solutions that vehicle manufacturers can use to meet the requirements of this final rule,” including the use of enhanced drum brakes, air disc brakes or hybrid disc/drum systems. The agency is basing it decision partly on data from vehicles already in use with these enhanced braking systems.

“Motorists deserve to know they are sharing the road with large trucks that are up to the safest possible standards, so they can get home alive to their families,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a prepared statement.

NHTSA estimates that the new braking requirement will save 227 lives and prevent 300 serious injuries annually, along with reducing property damage costs by more than $169 million.

The new standard for most trucks requires that a fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 60 miles per hour come to a complete stop in 250 feet. The old standard required a complete stop within 355 feet. The rule also will require heavy tractors to stop within 235 feet when at their lightly loaded vehicle weight - the weight of the unloaded vehicle plus 396 pounds for the driver and instruments.

The new regulation will be phased in over four years beginning with 2012 models.

NHTSA said the rule applies only to truck tractors and does not include single-unit trucks, trailers and buses. In addition, “a very small number” of very heavy severe service tractors will have their stopping distance limit cut to 310 feet.

The agency first proposed reducing the stopping distance of large trucks in December 2005.

The latest statistics from NHTSA show that large commercial vehicles continue to show a decrease in their involvement in fatal crashes. In 2008, 4,229 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks, down 12 percent from the 4,822 deaths recorded in 2007.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Press release from NHTSA