Uniform
Speed Limits in Illinois
Everyday
we all probably come into contact with semi trucks, or tractor-trailers, and do
not even realize it, but it’s probably time we start. As of January 1, 2012
these large trucks were allowed to go the same speed limit as cars throughout
the state of Illinois. Prior to this law, trucks were only allowed to drive the
same speed limit as cars in certain areas, and before that tractor-trailers
were required to drive 55 miles per hour on all Illinois interstates, while
cars could drive 65 miles per hour. Though some argue that it is safer for
everyone to drive the same speed limit, I believe that opinion does not take
the differences between cars and semi trucks into consideration.
One of the
biggest differences between tractor-trailers and cars is the stopping distance.
As the YouTube video shows, there is a significant difference in breaking
distance between cars and trucks, and that was only at 35 or 25 miles per hour.
As the Commercial Driver’s License handbook mentions, high speeds increase
breaking distances significantly. When a truck’s speed is doubled it takes four
times as much distance to stop. This becomes extremely important in emergency
situations. If an accident occurs ahead of the truck, the truck has to be able
to stop as quickly as possible to keep a bad accident from becoming much worse.
If another car is driving erratically, again, the truck driver has to be able
to stop, if necessary, in order to prevent an accident. It would be much easier
to do this if trucks were traveling at a slower speed.
Another
important consideration is the fact that tractor-trailers are very large and
dangerous vehicles. According to the United States Department of
Transportation, there are approximately 500,000 truck accidents per year and
5,000 resulting fatalities. Tractor-trailer accidents are especially dangerous
because 98% of the time the driver or passenger of the other vehicle is killed.
Considering these statistics, it seems that the drivers of other vehicles are
more at risk than the drivers of trucks. These eye-opening statistics show that
this is not just an issue for truck drivers, but an issue for anyone on the
road, and perhaps even more of an issue for others on the road. These trucks
are more dangerous than cars, and should be more heavily restricted for that
reason.
Though research
in this area tends to be inconclusive, a study conducted by United States Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration showed that states with differential speed
limits experienced an increase in accidents involving cars rear-ending trucks;
however, states with uniform speed limits experienced an increase in accidents
involving trucks rear-ending cars, trucks side-swiping cars, and other
truck-on-car vehicle collisions. This seems to show a greater increase in truck
versus car collisions in states with uniform speed limits. This begs the
question of why Illinois is changing this law, when research done by the
government shows that the system in that was already in place was superior.
Another interesting fact is that the
Illinois Department of Transportation states that the main causes of truck
accidents are due to speed or improper lane usage. If speed is a problem, then
reducing it seems like an excellent solution. As for improper lane usage, if
other cars are using lanes improperly reducing the speed of trucks gives them a
better breaking distance to prevent an accident.
Though
this may seem like an issue that only involves truck drivers, it involves
everyone that shares the road with them. The roads, highways, and interstates
are dangerous enough, and if traffic fatalities might be prevented with a
simple reduction in speed, then I see no reason not to use a differential speed
limit policy.
References
This is a good message. My friends dad is a truck driver and he's always pounded it into our heads that you never want to drive right next to or immediately in front of a semi truck. He says driving along side a semi is dangerous because even the best driver loses track of whether or not there might be a car in his or her blind spot from time to time. But driving in front of a semi is especially dangerous because most people don't realize just how long it takes for a truck to stop. If trucks are allowed to increase their speed then that means they will need even more space in order to stop!
ReplyDeleteI agree and disagree on somethings. I do think at times in different areas trucks should not be going the same speed as cars because of stopping distances. I do think that in some open areas they should be able to go the same speed because I feel that it would help out so people are not having to pass the semi's all the time. Like said above, you never can be sure if someone is right next to you or not so by going the same speed would cut down in how often people would go to pass someone which could help cut down side swiping other vehicles.
ReplyDeleteSome might agree that truck driver's should be able to go the same speed limit because this could prevent more passing and will have everybody going with the flow. Although, proven by the video, it clearly shows that trucks have a hard time stopping and this can cause all sorts of fatal accidents. It's hard telling what can prevent all these accidents that are happening. It seems like we lose everytime but I think the best solution is not to increase the speed limit. Slower speed will always give us more time to react and to be more cautious.
ReplyDeleteI think that the law change on January 1st was not a good idea. In my experience driving on the highways, I think that it's much better for trucks to have to move slower than cars so that there is not a big group of trucks blocking the roadway so that no cars can pass by. In addition, as the video demonstrates, trucks take a significantly further distance to stop, especially if they are filled with something very heavy. Overall, in the interest of public safety and accident prevention, I think that highways in Illinois would be much safer with the law as it used to be instead of the way that it is now.
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting to read. My belief is that semi-truck drivers should still be at lower speed limits. Those things are so big and they are such powerful machines, and if they hit anything, it will likely be destroyed. They also do take a lot longer to stop than normal vehicles. I think that it is just a lot more dangerous out on the highways with them driving the same speed limit as us.
ReplyDelete