Trucks plying our highways everyday serve a useful purpose: the transportation of commercial goods from one corner of the country to another. That being said, there have been thousands of accidents caused by semis that it has now become a risk for ordinary motorists to share road real estate with these behemoth vehicles. As a result, the Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has instituted a plan which will help control the speeds of these giant vehicles.
DOT Speed Limiters are Practical
Speed limiting is a practical and effective way of minimizing the impact of accidents as well as avoiding them altogether. It’s no secret that large vehicles are harder to control on account of the slower reaction time as well as instability when past a certain speed. In addition, these vehicles don’t take corners well and are more likely to topple over when negotiating a sharp corner on the road. The new directive which proposes the installation of a speed limiter by the different trucking companies seeks to keep vehicles at a respectable speed at all times.
The speed limiter proposal states that any truck that weighs over 26,000 pounds be fitted with a device that will only allow it to reach speeds of 60, 65 and 68 mph. That being said, these limits are open for discussion and may be subject to changes. One overlooked advantage of this directive is that truck companies will see a rise in their fuel efficiency which may positively impact their bottom line.
The DOT has released estimates following the speed limiter proposal which will work in everyone’s favor:
- Speed limiters may prevent between 3,356 to 10,306 minor injuries
- They may prevent between 179 to 551 serious injuries
- Speed limiters may save between 162 to 498 lives
- They may lead to annual total benefits of between $2.695 to $6.522 billion
Indiana Truck Accident Legal Help
It is important to note that these changes aren’t optional and a necessity for our roads. Indiana’s interstate highways are dangerous battlegrounds for ordinary motorists who become unwitting victims of these vehicles, ending in catastrophic accidents. If you or a loved one got into an Indiana truck accident which wasn’t your fault, you may be able to file a truck accident lawsuit. Please call us today on 877-561-3004 for your free and confidential consultation. Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.