August marks the trucking industry’s observance of Brake Safety Awareness. This initiative, which promotes motor vehicle brake-safety inspection, enforcement, and education across North America, is of paramount importance to Cooper Freight.

Brake systems and brake adjustments are the most cited violations during roadside inspections, accounting for 38.9% of all vehicle out-of-service violations. At Cooper Freight, we understand the gravity of these statistics and take them very seriously.

According to data from The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance:
– Understand Speed-Distance Ratios: Truckers operating a big rig under 40 mph should generally calculate at least one second of stopping time, per your truck’s length, for every 10 feet between you and the vehicle ahead. When operating above 40 mph, that safe stopping distance usually increases at least one more second. As your rate of speed increases, consider even wider safe distances whenever possible. Always err on the side of caution.

– Fully Loaded Rigs: When a tractor-trailer is at or near capacity, the safe stopping distance increases substantially. Under ideal road conditions, a freight-hauling vehicle requires nearly 400 feet of stopping distance while traveling at just 55 mph, and more than 525 feet at 65 mph. To put that in perspective, that distance is almost the length of two football fields. Adverse road conditions make braking distances even greater.

Under ideal road conditions, a freight-hauling vehicle requires nearly 400 feet of stopping distance while traveling at just 55 mph, and more than 525 feet at 65 mph.

Professional truck drivers, like those at Cooper Freight, are well-aware of how crucial a rig’s moving parts and stopping practices are. Our mission has always been to build and maintain long-term partnerships with our customers, employees, and suppliers. With our dedicated workforce, we have been able to safely deliver essential products for almost 50 years, and we intend to do so for generations to come.

Ensuring the safety of our drivers, the public, and the goods we transport is at the core of our operations. This Brake Safety Awareness Month, we reiterate our commitment to road safety and urge all drivers to prioritize brake safety.