What Is the Stopping Distance of a Semi Truck?

The Importance of Knowing How Quickly a Semi-Truck Can Stop

With the immense size and weight of a semi-truck, these vehicles pose a threat on the roadways. When one of these large trucks slams into a passenger vehicle, serious damage and injury are likely. Knowing the stopping distance of a semi-truck is essential to both truck drivers and other drivers on the road. 

Accidents can happen quickly when brakes fail or traffic stops in front of one of these large trucks. If you were injured in a semi-truck accident, you may need guidance from our trucking accident lawyers at the Smith Law Center. Call (757) 244-7000 or contact us online to speak to a lawyer and start a free case review.

Stopping Distances of Semi-Trucks vs. Cars

According to the Federal Highway Administration's Freight Management Division, commercial semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with freight. 

Compared to an average car weight of roughly 4,300 pounds, it is obvious which would suffer more damage in an accident. To ensure safe driving, it is important to maintain adequate following distances. 

A general rule of thumb is the three-second rule. This is when a driver selects a fixed object on the road ahead and counts three seconds after the vehicle in front passes that object. If you pass the object before you count to three, you are following too closely and should back off the driver in front of you.

How Long Does It Take a Semi to Stop?

Trying to stop any vehicle, but especially semi-trucks, can be influenced by the following factors:

• Vehicle weight
• Vehicle speed
• Road conditions
• Driver reaction time
• Brakes and mechanical condition
• Tire contact and grip

When driving near semi-trucks, passenger vehicles should allow extra space to ensure these bigger vehicles have time and distance to stop in an emergency. 

If you were injured in a truck accident, contact our lawyers, who’ve represented victims of accidents since 1949. Our lawyers will walk you through your legal options, including what a truck accident lawsuit timeline would look like for your case.

Large Trucks Require How Many Times The Stopping Distance

Large trucks require greater stopping distance than passenger vehicles. They take approximately twice the stopping distance to safely brake when encountering a road hazard. 

Consider the following statistics from the Department of Transportation:

• A passenger vehicle weighing 4,000 lbs traveling at 65 mph would need roughly 316 feet to stop. This is approximately the length of a football field.
• A loaded semi-truck weighing 80,000 lbs traveling at 65 mph would take 525 feet to stop. This is the length of two football fields.

Have you been seriously injured in a semi-truck accident? Our reputable lawyers are here to give you counsel for free during this hard time. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced legal team online or by phone at (757) 244-7000.

Stopping Distance Of A Semi-Truck

Commercial trucks must have longer stopping distances due to their size and weight, as well as other factors. The increased weight of a semi means it has more forward momentum, thus making it harder to decelerate. Semi-trucks also have air brakes, which causes a delay in the time it takes for the braking to begin.

A truck driver’s ability to perceive and then react to a hazard enough to slow down will also affect this timing. Perception slows the time passing while a driver calculates and identifies when to slow down or stop for a hazard. Reaction time is the delay between a driver recognizing the need to slow down and when they can react.

Perception and reaction time can be greatly influenced by trucker fatigue, which can happen with long-haul truckers who drive late into the night and put in long days of work. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has limitations on trucker hours of service, which attempt to ensure that truckers are forced to take appropriate time off to rest.

Still, accidents happen every day, with truck accident statistics showing more severe injuries and fatalities than other accidents on the road.

Equipment Failure and Semi-Truck Stopping Distance

Mechanical equipment failure can impact semi-truck stopping distance, posing a serious safety risk. 

Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to prevent brake system failures and ensure optimal stopping performance. Among the most critical components, brake systems are particularly vulnerable to issues and can fail or overheat with repeated use.

Repeated braking causes the brakes to become less effective due to overheating, which is common in mountainous areas. A brake line rupture or air leak can lead to a complete loss of braking power. The condition and maintenance of brakes especially play a vital role in how easily a commercial truck can come to a halt in an emergency.

Truck maintenance and inspection records can be helpful evidence in providing proof of negligence in a personal injury case. 

Commercial operations and their drivers both have a duty of care to maintain their vehicles to improve vehicle safety and reduce the risk of accidents on the road. 

If you were injured in a truck accident, get in touch with our trucking accident lawyers to discuss your potential claim online or by calling (757) 244-7000.

Get Help From An Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a large truck, you deserve justice. Our dedicated team of truck accident attorneys is here to help you through this difficult time. We will handle the legal complexities while you focus on recovery.

For the past 75 years, our firm has defended the rights of clients like you with the express interest of providing quality legal representation to victims of negligence.

Let us help you begin to rebuild your life after your injury. Contact us online or by phone at (757) 244-7000 for a free consultation.