The clock is ticking on your chance to have a say in a proposed regulation that would require the installation of automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems in your vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have put forth a joint proposal, and they want your input.
Under this proposal, new vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds would need to be equipped with AEB systems and electronic stability control. The AEB technology would be required to function at speeds ranging from 6 to 50 mph.
The authorities are currently seeking feedback on this proposal. This gives you the opportunity to make your voice heard and shape the future of truck safety.
Here are the details: if approved, the standard would mandate that Class 7 and 8 vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds meet the AEB standards within three years of the rule taking effect. Class 3-6 vehicles weighing between 10,001 and 26,000 pounds would have four years to comply with the AEB and electronic stability control requirements. As for small-volume manufacturers, they would have five years to implement the changes.
It’s important to note that the proposal does not require existing heavy vehicles to be retrofitted with AEB technology.
The public has through Sept. 5 to comment on the proposed mandate.
The proposal by the agencies aims to significantly reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries each year. It is projected to prevent a total of 19,118 crashes, 155 fatalities, and 8,814 injuries annually.
In addition, the NHTSA has introduced a separate proposal in May that would mandate the installation of Automatic Emergency Braking systems (AEBs) in passenger cars and light trucks. This requirement would come into effect within three years of the final rule publication.
However, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has expressed concerns about the proposal for heavy trucks. They have raised issues such as false activation of the system, difficulties during inclement weather, and other real-world challenges reported by drivers.
NHTSA is currently investigating reports of false automatic emergency braking in certain Freightliner and Western Star trucks. This alarming issue has led to 18 complaints of false activation, causing trucks to come to a complete stop on the road, with no actual obstacle present. Fortunately, no crashes have been reported as a result of this malfunction.
With the potential to impact up to 250,000 trucks, this investigation aims to determine if this alleged defect poses an unreasonable safety risk. Your input is crucial in helping the authorities address this issue effectively.
To have your say, simply visit regulations.gov by Sept. 5 and enter Docket Nos. FMCSA-2022-0171 or NHTSA-2023-0023. There’s no need to submit comments to both agencies. Alternatively, you can conveniently provide feedback to the agencies through FightingforTruckers.com, where OOIDA has streamlined the process for truck drivers.
Source: Land Line
