TL,DR:
Yes!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would conservatively estimate I find at least 3-5 pretty serious brake defects per week, on trailers on company property,
without a red tag on them. That means the previous driver(s) didn't know (or care) how to spot problems on a pre/post-trip inspection, or a decent 'seat of the pants' evaluation.
I only read 1 news article, and it's not clear to me
when he knew they were not working. Did he know this at that day's pre-trip, or at the mountain roadside check station; or when he realized he was going downhill too fast, and, oh no, the brakes aren't slowing the truck down.
What specifically wasn't working?
Was he doing doing 80 in 45 mph zone because there was a brake issue he didn't care (or more likely know) about? Or perhaps he was riding along at the speed of traffic, which could have easily been too fast even if all the brakes were working acceptably (maybe traffic was going 50, but he should have slowed to 40 before starting downhill?); try to downshift then, and miss it, and oh snap 80 mph comes up quick. Brakes slow/stop you by converting your kinetic energy (motion) to heat. And there's a limit to how much heat, and how quickly it's generated. Get to that limit, and kiss your brakes goodbye!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just found this article:
Trailer brakes were 'basically nonexistent', defense witness says , glancing through it:
- a defense witness (truck mechanic/trade school instructor) said basically: trailer brakes weren't working, tractor brakes had been doing all the work.
I can believe that he may have been fine on the other legs of that trip, if this was the first stretch mountains he came through, and may have been empty or had lighter loads. I have come across trailer brakes this bad, and newer equipment (like I believe the tractor was) have stronger brakes, masking the trailer problem.
Another article said the driver didn't know exactly where the runaway pit was, and was swerving around vehicles. Was even going to try rubbing the guard rail but there was already a truck stopped on the shoulder in his way. I can easily see how he could have missed his chance at the runaway pit.
A lot of
what ifs?:
- the previous drivers who handled that trailer knew enough to find it needed brake service, and had it fixed.
- the driver's company made sure the drivers they hired knew enough to properly inspect/evaluate brakes, and the drivers wouldn't suffer financially for stopping to get brakes fixed.
- more training/testing required for class A cdl, or maybe a special endorsement or experience requirement for mountain driving
- more truck inspections done, maybe actual inspectors on duty at the mountain roadside inspection lane; instead of drivers who don't know what to look for, or can't afford to take a chance with their employment by questioning the equipment.
ing days!!!
