How effective are truck brakes?
Compared with passenger vehicles, stopping distances for trucks are much longer. On wet and slippery roads there are greater disparities between the braking capabilities of large trucks and cars. Brake problems will be aggravated by poor maintenance practices. Out-of-adjustment brakes are the most common reason for authorities to order trucks out of service. New large trucks must have automatic brake adjusters, visible brake adjustment indicators, and antilock brakes. Antilock brakes, which keep wheels from locking, improve driver control of trucks during emergency stops and reduce the likelihood of jackknife in tractor-trailers.
