The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued stringent new braking standards that will require heavy-duty trucks to reduce their stopping distance by 30 percent. The new standard mandates that a tractor-trailer traveling at 60 miles per hour come to a complete stop in 250 feet. The old standard required a complete stop within 355 feet.
NHTSA estimates that the new braking requirement, which will be phased in beginning with 2012 models, will speed up introduction of the latest brake technology. It estimates this will save 227 lives annually and will prevent 300 serious injuries. It also estimates property damage cost savings of more than $169m annually.
