Because they weigh more than cars, it takes additional time an energy to bring a semi-truck to an emergency stop than it does so with respect to a passenger vehicle. With this additional time comes a longer stopping distance.
According to one state's website, assuming they react to hazards at the same speed as the typical driver of a passenger car, a truck going 55 miles per hour will travel about 60 feet more than would a passenger car once each driver applies the brakes. Overall, it will take about 245 feet for a fully loaded truck to come to a complete stop from 55 miles per hour.
As speeds go up, so does the distance it takes for a trucker to stop his or her vehicle. If a truck is traveling at 65 miles per hour, just a 10 mile per hour increase, then it will take over 450 feet for a truck to stop, which is more than 200 feet than it would take car traveling the same speed to come to a halt.
While this information may inspire other motorists in the New Orleans area to be more cautious around large trucks, the same information should also serve as a reminder to truckers about how important it is for them to be careful and attentive on the road and to make sure that they at all times have of plenty of room to make a safe stop.
A distracted, drunk or overly tired truck driver, or even one who is just not paying attention or who has unsafe equipment, can cause enormous destruction in a truck accident if they are not able to stop their vehicles safely. Should this happen, victims can seek out compensation for their injuries.
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