How Effective is Automatic Emergency Braking at Reducing Truck Accidents?

Owing to the massive size and weight of the average large commercial truck, traffic accidents involving large semi-trucks are some of the most devastating and destructive accidents. However, according to a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), these catastrophic and often deadly accidents can be significantly reduced if all large trucks are equipped with advanced safety technology such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) and forward collision warning (FCW). Although this technology is widely available, and many passenger vehicles come equipped with AEB, FCW, and other safety technology, there are no regulations that mandate AEB for passenger vehicles or large, commercial semi-trucks. The combination of effective safety technology such as AEB and FCW, combined with proper braking techniques, can prevent devastating rear-end truck accidents and save thousands of lives.

What Are the Highlights of the IIHS Study?

Researchers from the IIHS studied FCW and AEB systems to determine the effectiveness of these advanced safety technologies in reducing the number of large truck accidents. They collected data on Class 8 trucks that operated on limited-access highways between 2017 and 2019. Video footage provided data on exposure measures and crash circumstances. They found the following results:

• AEB was associated with a 41 percent reduction in rear-end crashes and a 12 percent reduction in overall crashes.
• FCW was associated with a 44 percent reduction in rear-end crash rates involving large trucks and a 12 percent reduction in overall crashes.
• FCW was also associated with a 22 percent reduction in the rate of police-reportable crashes per vehicle miles traveled and a 44 percent reduction in rear-end crash rate of large trucks.
• Warnings were issued in just over 30 percent of rear-end crashes for trucks that were equipped with FCW technology.
• In 43 percent of rear-end crashes, AEB intervened. Roughly two-thirds of these interventions involved autobrake activations.
• The speed was reduced by over 50 percent between the time of intervention and impact for AEB and FCW.
• Researchers concluded that FCW and AEB are effective at reducing rear-end truck accidents. As more new trucks are equipped with these systems, large trucks are expected to be much safer. FCW can be retrofitted into existing trucks, so the benefits of this technology can be realized sooner.

There are currently no regulations that require passenger cars or large commercial trucks to be equipped with AEB. According to the IIHS, in the European Union, AEB technology has been standard on trucks for the past seven years. Although most passenger vehicles will be outfitted with AEB technology by 2022, the IIHS believes that the United States needs to follow the European Union’s lead and require all large trucks to be equipped with this life-saving technology as well. Researchers estimate that each year AEB regulations are delayed, approximately 8,000 people will be injured and an additional 166 will die in serious, yet preventable, truck accidents.

How Can Improper Braking Technique Cause Large Truck Accidents?

Operating a massive commercial truck requires significant training and a commercial driver’s license because operating a large truck is quite different from driving a passenger vehicle or even a small truck. The average commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, whereas the average passenger vehicle weighs approximately 4,000 pounds. In addition, large trucks are longer, wider, and less stable than cars because they are hauling massive trailers that are coupled to the cab. It is imperative that truck drivers understand how to safely operate a big rig, particularly when driving on a busy highway with other passenger vehicles in the vicinity. One of the most important things a truck driver needs to understand is how to safely slow down or come to a complete stop. A well-trained, competent truck driver should use the following braking techniques:

• Press down on the brakes for two minutes to measure the braking system’s air pressure.
• Pay attention to the gauge that indicates whether the air system is functioning properly.
• When the anti-lock braking system is engaged, always apply steady brake pressure. This is especially important in icy road conditions.
• Make sure that the truck’s transmission is in neutral when the parking brake is engaged.
• Use traction control during inclement weather, including ice, snow, freezing rain, and mud.

Truck drivers must also understand the proper braking technique when navigating a steep incline. Failure to properly break can cause the driver to lose control of the truck, the consequences of which can be devastating to the truck driver and the other motorists in the vicinity. The following are examples of braking techniques that truck drivers should use when approaching a steep hill:

• Make sure that the truck is in the correct gear when traveling down a slope.
• Allow the truck to accelerate up to a maximum safe speed.
• As the truck travels down the hill, apply the brakes to slow the truck by five miles per hour.
• Be sure to use the intermittent application of brakes to distribute the energy to all the brakes.

If a truck driver fails to use the proper braking techniques, he or she may not be able to slow down or come to a complete stop in the amount of time required to prevent an accident. The following are examples of truck driver negligence that can cause serious accidents:

• Unsafe or improper application of the brakes when traveling on wet roads can lead to hydroplaning.
• Failing to slow down or shift to a lower gear can result in an accident.
• Allowing the truck to gain too much speed can result in a runaway truck.
• Applying the brakes in a way that causes the trailer to swing out to the side of the cab. This can cause a jackknife or rollover accident, both of which can cause devastating injuries and fatalities, particularly to the occupants of the passenger vehicles involved in the accident.
• Hitting the brakes too hard can cause cargo to shift and spill out onto the road. Cargo can fall onto vehicles in the vicinity or cause motorists to swerve into other lanes in an effort to avoid being hit by falling cargo.

Who is Liable for a Truck Accident That is Caused by Brake Failure?

There are a number of parties who may be held liable if brake failure leads to a serious truck accident, including the following:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The company responsible for ensuring that the truck is properly maintained
• The company responsible for loading the truck
• The brake manufacturer, or the company that installed or repaired the brakes before the truck was sold

Commercial truck brakes must be able to develop a minimum braking force based on the truck’s weight, slow to a stop at a specific rate, and meet the requirements for automatic brake adjustment systems, as well as other performance standards. If the brakes do not meet these standards, they are considered a defective product. Whether the brakes have a design defect, a manufacturing defect, or a defect in the product handling process, the brake manufacturer could be held liable if the defective brakes caused an accident.

Truck drivers may be held liable for deliberately or unintentionally limiting the power of the braking system. For example, if a truck driver unhooks the cab’s braking system and uses only the trailer’s brakes, this puts unpredictable stress on the rest of the vehicle. Drivers sometimes do this because it can help the truck owner save money on maintenance. However, it can increase the risk of a serious accident if the driver loses control of the truck.

According to federal law, truck owners must maintain a log that keeps track of each inspection and all maintenance activity. If the truck is involved in an accident and the log is incomplete, is missing important information, or there are major discrepancies with what the forensic investigator discovered at the scene of the accident, the truck owner or the maintenance company could be held liable. In addition, when cargo is not loaded properly, it can cause the brakes to overheat. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the factors that caused the crash, it is possible that multiple parties could be considered at fault, in which case a truck accident victim could file multiple injury claims. A skilled catastrophic injury lawyer can review the injured victim’s case and recommend the best legal course of action.

Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers at ACTS Law Advocate for Victims of Truck Accidents

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a truck accident, do not hesitate to contact the Los Angeles truck accident lawyers at ACTS Law. We understand how devastating these accidents can be, particularly if a truck’s brakes are not working properly or the truck driver was not using safe and effective braking techniques. Our dedicated legal team will conduct a thorough investigation into the details of your case and determine who is responsible for causing the accident. We will thoroughly explain the claims process and fight for all entitled financial compensation so that you can focus on your recovery. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 833-ACTS-LAW or contact us online.

With offices in San Diego and Los Angeles, we serve clients throughout Southern California.