ATA pleased with electronic stability control mandate announcement

by Truck News

ARLINGTON, Va. – The American Trucking Associations (ATA) said it was pleased with today’s announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that claimed it would soon require new commercial trucks to be equipped with electronic stability control systems.

“Ensuring the safety of America’s highways has always been ATA’s highest calling,” said ATA president and CEO Bill Graves. “And we’ve long known the positive role technology can play in making our vehicles and our roads safer. Today’s announcement by NHTSA will reduce crashes on our highways and make our industry safer.”

NHTSA said today that in 2017 it was going to be requiring electronic stability control systems on all large trucks, and also predicted that such a mandate could prevent more than 1,700 crashes annually.

“Last month, NHTSA reported to Congress that truck rollover and passenger ejection were the greatest threats to truck driver safety,” ATA executive vice-president Dave Osiecki said. “We can save lives by preventing rollovers with electronic stability control technology, and that’s a positive for our industry. Many fleets have already begun voluntarily utilizing this technology and this new requirement will only speed that process.”


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*

  • I have no problem with the use of electronics to make trucks
    safer to drive. I am a big fan of ABS and have this on my F350 Ford and love it although it has activated only one time. My job takes me all over North America and as I see it, most rollovers has been the result of excessive speed while negotiating turns and cornering maneuvers. Driving schools need to educate new drivers as well as veterans that heavy trucks have a high centre of gravity (average 62″) which contributes to rollovers. The other problem I see with tractor trailer drivers is the fact they do not feel the lean of their trailer until it is too late. Suspension travel, fifth wheel slack, cab suspension and some other minor factors insulate the driver from the potential rollover.

    All the technology in the world does not compensate for a poor driver. I have observed many driving schools in my town and how they conduct the training leaves a lot to be desired. another driver testing problem I became aware of is the fact the Driver Testing Centres will provide driver written tests in most other languages on this world. What the hell is that! This is Canada with two official languages, French and English. No other languages should be allowed for a drivers test.