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Loss Lessons
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ANTILOCK BREAKS
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PestSure Members,
In recent months, I have noticed anti-lock brakes mentioned
in the accident descriptions on some of our auto liability
claims. In a few of the accidents, the driver states that
the brakes on their vehicle felt as though they were failing.
Often, the driver response to the ABS automatic pulsing action
is to let up on the brake and depress it again. This driver
reaction to the feeling of brake failure, reduces braking
effectiveness and results in an accident.
"A 1994 Institute survey of drivers with antilock-equipped
cars found that more than 50 percent in North Carolina and
40 percent in Wisconsin incorrectly thought they should
pump the brakes. Some motorists may drive less cautiously
because they believe antilocks allow them to brake better".
. . . . Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Lesson:
Antilock brakes are designed to help drivers avoid crashes.
When a driver hits regular brakes hard, the wheels may lock
and the vehicle may skid. Wheel lockup can result in longer
stopping distances, loss of steering control and, when road
friction is uneven, loss of stability if the vehicle begins
to spin. The main advantage of antilocks is that they can
reduce these problems on wet and slippery roads. Antilocks
work with a vehicle's normal service brakes to decrease stopping
distance and increase the control and stability of the vehicle
during hard braking. Vehicles equipped with antilocks have
speed sensors mounted at each wheel and a secondary electro-hydraulic
braking circuit. The principle behind antilocks is that a
skidding wheel provides less stopping force and control than
a wheel that is rotating. Antilocks prevent wheels from skidding
by monitoring the speed of each wheel and automatically pulsing
the brake pressure on any wheels where skidding is detected.
Antilocks should not make much difference in stopping distances
on dry roads, although they can enhance vehicle stability
and allow drivers to maintain steering control during emergency
stops when conventional brakes might allow wheel lockup and
skidding. . . . Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Please take a few moments to have a discussion with your drivers
regarding ABS equipped vehicles and brake behavior. Share
this information with your technicians before they are in
a situation where the ABS is activated, so that they know
what to expect from their vehicle.
Linda Midyett
Area Manager
Safety and Loss Prevention, PestSure
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.
14241 Dallas Parkway, Suite 300
Dallas, TX 75254
972.663.6199
800.326.6203 |
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