The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that stability control systems may prevent nearly 3,500 tractor-trailer rollover accidents annually, which may save approximately 106 lives every year. This technology has been around for about five years. All passenger-vehicle manufacturers are required to install stability control systems in every vehicle. Because tractor-trailer trucks account for a large percent of all rollover accidents, the NHTSA believes that this same requirement should apply to manufacturers of large trucks.
How Stability Control Systems Work
A stability control system takes control away from the driver when it senses that the vehicle is about to become or has become imbalanced. The computer system in the vehicle makes this judgment by evaluating shifts in weight. When the computer records an imbalance, it applies the brakes. The computer returns control to the driver once the imbalance has been corrected.
The Dangers of Tank Trucks
Tank-truck rollovers pose more danger than trucks that do not carry hazardous substances. Estimates from studies cited by the NHTSA indicate that 1,265 tank truck rollovers occur every year. Although tank trucks account for only 6 percent of large trucks, they are involved in 31 percent of all fatal rollover accidents. A study by the Battelle Memorial Institute found that many tank-truck rollover accidents could have been prevented by stability systems.
The Cost
The cost of a stability control system varies according to the type purchased. Estimates indicate that it would cost around $1,200 to install such a system on an existing truck and add around $1,000 to the price of a new truck. Some trucking companies are buying the systems, but the change is occurring slowly. Because of the affordability and the effectiveness of the systems, the NHTSA plans on presenting evidence in support of the system at a safety board hearing on tank-truck rollovers.
Legal Help for Your Rollover Accident
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in a rollover accident, you may be entitled to damages. The attorneys at Denena & Points have experience representing clients who have been involved in a Texas truck wreck. Call a Houston truck accident attorney at