A semi-truck has a much longer stopping distance than a smaller vehicle. If someone is in a small passenger car, like a sedan, they can usually bring the vehicle to a halt in around 300 feet. But a semi-truck driver who hits the brakes at the exact same moment would generally need more like 525 feet to stop their vehicle.
Much of this is just due to the weight of a semi-truck. It could weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That is a significant amount of mass to bring to a halt, so even a vehicle with well-maintained braking systems just needs longer to slow down.
Truck driver safety laws
The need for a greater stopping distance also helps to explain some of the other driver safety laws enacted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
For example, the FMCSA says that drivers typically are not allowed to use handheld mobile devices while they are operating their vehicles. They may be able to use hands-free devices, which often require them to push just a single button and mean that they do not have to hold the phone in their hand while talking. But a truck driver should never be manually using their cellphone.
After all, a distracted truck driver may have a delayed reaction time when trying to hit the brakes and stop their vehicle. Because they need a greater amount of space to do so, this delay could lead to a catastrophic accident where the truck driver rear-ends another vehicle ahead of them.
Seeking financial compensation
Have you been injured in an accident caused by a negligent tractor-trailer driver? If so, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and much more.
