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2026
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Accidents keep happening on long downhill slopes, and vehicle problems are a hidden killer too
1. The fundamental cause of the accident is the vehicle's own issues
1. The authoritative structural appraisal indicates: the friction surface of the left wheel brake drum of vehicle A has deep longitudinal grooves, the friction surface is uneven, and the brake pads are worn unevenly.
Refer to the 'Automobile Maintenance, Inspection, and Diagnostic Technical Specifications' GB/T18344-2016. Table 4 lists the basic operations and technical requirements for secondary maintenance. Clause 16 on inspecting drum brakes states: the wheel hub should have no cracks, and the brake drum should have no cracks, grooves, oil stains, or obvious deformation. Clearly, the technical condition of Vehicle A's service brake system does not meet the national standards and poses a safety risk. At the time of the incident, Vehicle A's tractor separated from the trailer, and it was the right front side of the detached trailer that struck the cabin of Vehicle C, which was travelling uphill normally, causing the immediate deaths of two people in Vehicle C's cabin.
The trailer and the tractor are connected by a kingpin and a fifth wheel. In this accident, after Vehicle A scratched Vehicle B moving in the same direction ahead, the driver made a sharp left turn, causing the vehicle to tilt and roll to the right. During the tilt and roll, the kingpin connecting the tractor and trailer broke, resulting in the separation of the tractor and trailer.
Let's imagine if the tractor and trailer were tightly connected, they would act as a single unit in an accident. Vehicle A would have crashed the guardrail to the left as a whole and rolled into the ditch, and Vehicle C might have averted the disaster.
Inspection revealed that Vehicle A's kingpin was 50#, and during the accident, the fifth wheel mounting bolts broke (as shown in the picture below).
3. Although the 50# tow pin meets national standards, its safety strength is slightly lower compared to the 90# tow pin. The 90# tow pin is heavier and more expensive to produce than the 50#, so manufacturers prefer the 50# tow pin to remain competitive in the market. This creates a hidden risk to vehicle safety.
Long downhill slopes cause brake fade and accidents due to issues with the vehicle's own braking system. As mentioned before, most heavy trucks in China are equipped with drum brakes, which are sealed and do not ventilate well, making them prone to heat fade.
▎2. To prevent brake fade accidents, we first need to look at the vehicle itself. To do a good job, you must have the right tools.
1. Accelerate the popularisation of hydraulic retarders for heavy trucks. This requires top-level planning, releasing relevant laws and regulations, and making hydraulic retarders mandatory for heavy trucks. If a manufacturer does not equip them, the product should not be allowed for sale, eliminating fade risks from the vehicle itself.
2. Equip heavy truck wheel hubs with temperature sensors.
The mandatory tyre pressure monitoring in small cars gives us an idea. Could we install temperature sensors on truck wheel hubs? When brake fade causes the brakes to overheat, the dashboard could give a clear warning, requiring the driver to stop and cool down to prevent brake fade.
If the warning is ignored, the driver should have 10 seconds to pull over; otherwise, the vehicle would automatically shut down. If it does not stay stopped for 20 minutes (or the brake temperature does not drop to normal), it cannot restart. Only this way can brake fade in trucks be avoided.
3. Equip trucks with emergency alarm devices.
Recently, the relevant authorities released the investigation report on last year's '9.22' major traffic accident in Xiangtan involving a low-speed truck that caused 10 deaths and 16 injuries. At the time of the accident, the truck was travelling at 25 km/h, so how could it cause such severe consequences? One reason is that when the driver realised the vehicle was out of control, he wanted to warn the crowd at the market, but the truck's air horn was broken and couldn't serve as a warning. Conversely, if trucks are equipped with emergency alarm devices, in urgent situations like brake fade, the driver can activate the alarm, allowing people and vehicles nearby to avoid the danger quickly, which can greatly help prevent the consequences from worsening.
Finally, the vehicle's own issues are crucial in preventing traffic accidents. Drivers and car owners, if you notice any faults while driving, make sure to fix them promptly and avoid driving a faulty car. Driving a faulty car can be dangerous and cause accidents, putting yourself and others at risk. You could be held more responsible, and the insurance company might refuse or reduce compensation.
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