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A large percentage of semi-truck accidents occur because the truck driver fails to maintain a safe following distance, given the conditions on the roadway. It is no secret that 18-wheelers take much longer to stop than passenger car pickup trucks. For that reason, semi-trucks or tractor-trailers should follow a safe distance between the big rig and the traffic ahead. At highway speeds, the big truck will take approximately one-third longer to come to a stop than a car. This leads to rear-end crashes.
The problem is heightened when weather conditions or road conditions are adverse.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations under Section 392.14 provide that a commercial motor vehicle shall be driven with extreme caution when confronted with adverse conditions such as ice, fog, mist, or rain that adversely affect visibility or traction. The regulations also require a truck driver to reduce his speed when confronted with adverse conditions that affect visibility or traction.
A prudent trucker should operate his vehicle to allow a sufficient, safe following distance between the vehicle in front of the truck to allow the truck to come to a safe stop without impacting the vehicle in front of them should an emergency develop. In other words, when you know your truck takes much longer to stop the vehicles in front of you, you should allow extra distance between the vehicles.
Nevertheless, between driving too fast in adverse conditions and following too closely to the vehicles in front of them, a record number of truck accidents have resulted in serious injuries to the occupants of vehicles in front of big rigs. Stopping distance includes reaction time for the driver to perceive the need to stop and apply the brakes. From the time the brakes are applied to the time the truck comes to a complete stop is known as the braking distance.
Braking distance has many variables, which include the makeup of the highway, factors involving the tire such as tread, the weight of the vehicle, condition of the brakes, and weather such as rain, ice, or snow, which can make the roadway more slippery and adversely affect stopping distance.
In the state of Texas, there is a requirement for drivers to maintain a minimum driving distance known as the “assured clearance distance.” However, it is important to note that Texas law does not specify a fixed criteria for what constitutes this distance. Determining whether a driver is following too closely is at the discretion of law enforcement officers, considering various factors such as road conditions, weather, and traffic.
To provide some general guidance, the Texas Department of Safety suggests a minimum of 2 seconds of distance between vehicles at speeds under 30 mph and a minimum of 4 seconds for vehicles traveling at higher speeds. However, these recommendations should be considered simple guidelines rather than strict requirements. Drivers must adapt their driving distance according to the specific circumstances they encounter on the road.
Heavy traffic, wet roads, or low visibility may necessitate a significantly longer stopping distance than the suggested 2-4 seconds. Therefore, drivers must exercise caution and judgment to maintain a safe and appropriate distance from the vehicle in front of them.
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Related Resources:
Rear End Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston
Braking distance of semi trucks
What You Need to Know About an 18-Wheeler Stopping Distance
Stopping Distance is a Major Factor in Big Rig Rear-End Collisions
Why Truck Drivers Must Allow Greater Cushions of Safety
