Technology to prevent or reduce truck accidents has come a long way in the last 10 years. One such technological advancement is the antilock braking system.
In anti-lock braking system is a computerized system that keeps eight trucks wheels from completely locking up during heartbreak application.
The ABS is an additional breaking element in other words it is in addition to a proximal break. The ABS does not decrease or increase normal braking capacity it only activates when the wheels are about to lock up.
ASB systems contain sensors that detect when a truck's wheel may lock up; the system then activates and prevents the wheels from locking up.
ABS systems are particularly helpful on wet roadways and have been shown to reduce jackknife and skid accidents.
Even if an ABS is only on the tractor or only on the trailer it's still provides the truck driver with more control over the vehicle during hard braking applications.
The Department of Transportation requires ABS on air brake trucks built after 1997 and other commercial vehicles built after 1998. Many commercial vehicles built before 1997 have a ABS as an additional safety feature.
Antilock braking systems have been effective in reducing accidents for cars and pickups as well as 18-wheelers. Through technology such as the ABS we can prevent unnecessary loss of life and serious injury.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston truck accident lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping victims of 18-wheeler accidents recover civil justice.
