WASHINGTON (June 4, 2015) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule requiring electronic stability control (ESC) systems on heavy trucks and large buses.
The rule, which had not been published in the Federal Register as of June 3, will save up to 49 lives and prevent 1,759 crashes annually, and provide annual net economic benefits of more than $300 million, according to NHTSA.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx
“ESC is a remarkable safety success story, a technology innovation that is already saving lives in passenger cars and light trucks,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a June 3 press release.
“Requiring ESC on heavy trucks and large buses will bring that safety innovation to the largest vehicles on our highways,” Secretary Foxx said.
Bill Graves, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, hailed the final rule as a significant safety advance.
“Ensuring the safety of America's highways has long been ATA's highest calling,” Mr. Graves said. “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.”
The final rule will go into effect for most heavy trucks in 2017, according to NHTSA. It will go into effect in 2018 for buses heavier than 33,000 pounds and in 2019 for buses between 26,000 and 33,000 pounds.
The press release about the final rule, which can be found by clicking here and going to the “Laws & Regulations” tab, contains a link to the 204-page final rule.
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