The destruction that is caused by semitruck accidents in Washington, DC can vary from severe to catastrophic. Whether drivers follow federal trucking standards affects how many vehicles are involved in crashes with negligent truck drivers. There are U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) tire regulations in place to increase safety on roads and highways.

An overview of DOT tire regulations

DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) sets tire regulations and standards of quality for truck drivers. The purpose is to protect truck drivers along with all other drivers on roads and highways. Following the FMSCA's regulations is necessary to avoid catastrophic semitruck accidents that could result in serious bodily injury, costly property damages or death.

The importance of tire maintenance

Maintaining a commercial truck's tires is more than rotating the tires to even the tread. Under the FMSCA and DOT regulations, review Section 393.75 that pertains to tires. Not following the rules may lead to an FMSCA citation because the truck is too dangerous to operate alongside other vehicles on the road. Addressing any and every violation is necessary to do by yourself and with the help of a mechanic.

Section 393.75 (c) states that tires must have a 2/32-inch groove in the tread that is not located near tie bars or other obstacles. An alternative form of the regulation states that the depth must be at least 4/32 of an inch.

Federal regulations prevent truck accidents

Federal trucking regulations are directly responsible for preventing all types of catastrophic semitruck accidents. As a truck driver or fleet owner, keep up to date on DOT tire regulations, and perform regular maintenance to ensure that your trucking equipment meets recommended standards.