The tires of commercial tractor trailers are generally designed to be able to sustain traveling up to 75 miles per hour. This was acceptable over the last decade when the maximum speed limits across the country rarely eclipsed 65 or 70 miles per hour. Now, most states have speed limits up to 85 miles per hour and truck accidents are up. In Pennsylvania and Ohio, the maximum speed limit is 70 miles per hour.
According to truck safety advocates, this can lead to devastating truck accidents. When a truck frequently drives above 75 miles per hour, excessive heat is generated that can damage the rubber of the tires. This can cause severe damage to the trucks and can also potentially cause truck accidents.
In 2010, 40 people in the United States died from tire related truck accidents. By 2013 that number increased 30% to 52.
To decrease the potential dangers associated with the disconnect between the maximum speed that truck tires can handle and the speed limit, many safety experts have proposed that all trucks be equipped with devices that do not allow trucks to exceed a certain speed. Many larger trucking companies already take advantage of these devices and equip them to their trucks. The average maximum speed allowed by trucking companies that utilize these devices is 69 miles per hour.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck accident or a hurt due to a defective product like truck tires not built to handle a proper maximum speed, contact the truck accidents lawyers at Dugan & Associates today for a free consultation at 412-353-3572.
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