Menu Search Icon Mail Icon
Davis Saperstein & Salomon
Call Today 201-907-5000
No fee if no recovery
All consultations are free

Products Liability Newsletter

Brake Safety for Commercial Motor Vehicles

Because Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) are generally larger and thus potentially more dangerous than other vehicles, CMV brake safety is imperative. In 2003, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a new rule allowing for performance-based brake testing for CMVs, as opposed to the traditional method of visual inspection.

There are three types of vehicles that are considered CMVs: (1) A truck with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 lbs; (2) a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials carrying a required quantity; and (3) a bus designed to transport more than fifteen people.

FMCSA Rule Permits Performance Brake-Testing
In the United States, thousands of fatalities annually are caused by CMV accidents. A variety of reasons have caused such accidents, such as brake failure.

In an attempt to increase safety, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) has created a pass/fail criteria for use with performance-based brake testers (PBBTs). PBBTs are a method of measuring the braking performance of CMVs in order to ensure compliance of braking capabilities with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

There are two methods by which PBBT measures the condition of brakes:

  1. Measuring brake forces at each wheel
  2. Measuring overall brake performance in controlled testing

The Goals for Performance Brake-Testing
Implementation of the performance based brake-testing rule is the pinnacle of research that began in the 1990s. PBBTs allow for more frequent and thorough testing of CMVs. The FMCSA hopes that the ability of the PBBT testing to systematically process more vehicles will prevent and lower the number of CMV-related accidents occurring each year. In 2008, the method was approved by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) for roadside enforcement, where trucks which fail testing may be immediately placed out-of-service until they are repaired.

  • Toxic Torts and Workers' Compensation
    A “tort” is defined as behavior that harms an individual, but is not necessarily a criminal act. A toxic tort claim can be brought by an individual who was exposed to and harmed by a toxin due to the conduct of another.... Read more.
  • Defects in SUV's and Product Liability
    “Sport Utility Vehicles” (SUV’s) have become increasingly popular. It has been estimated that SUV’s comprise 25% or more of new car sales, as opposed to only 2% in 1985. Unfortunately, serious questions have been... Read more.
  • Toys That Pose a Hazard to Young Children
    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates the distribution of 15,000 types of consumer products that pose an unreasonable risk of injury or death to the public. As young children are particularly susceptible to... Read more.
  • Tests to Determine Product Liability Based on Design Defect
    In a “product liability” case, the plaintiff typically sues the manufacturer and/or supplier of a product for damages resulting from an injury sustained through its use. Depending on the state where the lawsuit is commenced,... Read more.
Law Commentary Legal News
Share This Page:
Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., is located in Teaneck NJ and serves clients in and around Teaneck, Hackensack, Bergenfield, Tenafly, Englewood, New Milford, Palisades Park, Englewood Cliffs, Dumont, River Edge, Demarest, Haworth, Oradell, Leonia, Bogota, Maywood, Closter, Alpine, Emerson, Fort Lee, Ridgefield Park, Little Ferry, Bergen County, Hudson County and Passaic County.
Designed and Powered by NextClient

© 2024 Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. All rights reserved. Custom WebShop™ law firm website design by NextClient.com.