Comment period for stability control proposal

Updated Sep 5, 2012

Trailer StabilityThe public has until Aug. 21 to comment on a proposal to require electronic stability control systems on new trucks – an estimated cost of $1,160 per system.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will have a public hearing July 24 on its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to mandate the ESC systems for new trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 26,000 pounds. It estimated the requirement could prevent 40 to 56 percent of untripped rollover crashes and 14 percent of loss-of-control crashes.

The Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association has said driver training and better cab crashworthiness for vehicles would more effectively improve safety than mandating stability control for trucks. Conversely, the American Trucking Associations said today it was encouraged by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposal.

ESC systems are designed to reduce untripped rollovers and mitigate severe understeer or oversteer conditions that lead to loss of control by using automatic computer-controlled braking and reducing engine torque output.

Comments must include the docket number of NHTSA-2012-0065 and may be submitted by one of the following methods:

  • Online at www.regulations.gov
  • By fax to 202-493-2251
  • By mail to Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
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